On Sunday, October 31, 2021, the US Federation Road Walking Championships (USATF) were held in Long Island.
Two 20km were scheduled.
The organization, headed by former international walking judge Gary Wesyterfiel, was excellent, with 4 World Athletics level international judges certifying the results and a flat and perfectly measured course.
Even the weather has given a hand to the organization: practically a perfect day, quite cool and windless.
The participation was unfortunately not the expected one.
20km men
Nick Christie (USA) went out quite fast but seemed with no one to push him slowed a bit.
These are his passages:
- 2km: 8:38
- 4km: 17:39 (9:02)
- 6km: 26:54 (9:15)
- 8km: 36:16 (9:22)
- 10km: 45:48 (9:32)
- 12km: 55:18 (9:30)
- 14km: 1:04:59 (9:41)
- 16km: 1:14:53 (9:56)
- 18km: 1:24:46 (9:53)
- last 2km in 9:48
He won in 1:34:34 (1:34:33.90) in a pace that probably for him was a training for 35km
Second place to Michael Mannozzi (USA) in 1:47:13 (1:47:12.60), but fifth overall preceded by the three women
Third place to Dave McGovern (USA) in 2:02:04 (2:02:03.10)
20km women
Maria Michta-Coffey (USA) and Natalia Alfonso (VEN) competed a few meters away from the start up to almost 14km.
Halfway through the race their passage was 49:42 for Maria Michta-Coffey while that of Natalia Alfonso was 49:44.
At 14km the two were separated by 5 seconds.
Subsequently Maria Michta-Coffey forced her pace and won in 1:42:00 (1:41:59.20)
Second place for Natalia Alfonso (VEN) in 1:42:17 (1:42:16.70)
Third place to young Lauren Harris (USA) in 1:45:46 (1:45:45.30)