ABOUT THE UNITED STATES POWER WALKING ASSOCIATION

The United States Power Walking Association, a 501(c) (3) non-profit organization, is dedicated to the development and promotion of Power Walking as a USATF-recognized competitive sport. Founded in 2016 to promote the sport to participants of the National Senior Games, it has become the leading source of information for power walkers of all ages. 

THE HISTORY OF COMPETITIVE POWER WALKING

It’s hard to say who really created Power Walking. There have been claims over the years by multiple individuals. All of these are legitimate, because the goals provided have varied greatly from weight loss to endurance to weight training. The USPWA doesn’t claim to have invented the sport. The Association was founded in an effort to codify the rules, differentiate it from the Olympic sport of Race Walking, and see it spread across the country.

The Huntsman World Senior Games, in St George, Utah, added a Power Walk competition along with their Race Walk in 2013. The goal was to open up an event that everyone could compete in with little training. Since its introduction, the participation has grown exponentially across the country. Now almost every State Senior Games offers a Power Walk competition. 

The National Senior Games Association took notice, and added Power Walking as an open event to the 2019 National Games in Albuquerque.

In the past few years, the interest in Power Walking has increased tremendously!  You can find a plethora of books on the subject. One of our favorites is Dave McGovern’s The Complete Guide to Competitive Walking.