Preview: USATF National Marathon Race Walk Championships return to Santee

USATF National Marathon Race Walk Championships

When: Sunday. Marathon and half-marathon start at 7:30 a.m.; 3K (youth), 5K and 10K start at 8 a.m.

Where: Santee. Course at Riverview Parkway and Town Center Parkway, adjacent to Trolley Square shopping center.

Admission: Free.

What’s new: The new year brings the introduction of the marathon and half-marathon as the international championship distances for race walking. It’s a move that’s long been sought to offer direct time comparisons between walkers and runners. Gone are the shorter 35K and 20K distances from last year’s event. This is also the event’s third format change in three years since the marathon relay was conducted ahead of the 2024 Olympics.

Measurement in meters: The marathon equals 42,195 meters and the half marathon measures 21,097.5 meters.

Records pending: Given the debut of the new distances, there are no established records. The leading male is expected to finish in 3 hours, 5 minutes, and the top female in 3:37.

Who to watch: The entries include a record 11 Olympians, including three Americans. Sweden’s Perseus Karlstrom, a three-time Olympian,  ranks as the favorite in the men’s marathon after shattering the old 35K event record (2:44:16) by nearly 17 minutes (2:27:19) last year. On the women’s side, Mexico’s Valeria Ortuna Martinez has opted for the half-marathon following her record performance in last year’s 35K (2:51.33). Former El Cajon resident Katie Burnett should challenge for the marathon title after placing fourth overall (3:05:10) last year. Another contender should be Canada’s Olivia Lundman, who was third (3:03:16) a year ago.

Local outlook: El Cajon’s Nick Christie seeks to add a marathon title to his two 35K crowns and an Olympics appearance in the delayed 2020 Olympics. His fiancée, Miranda Melville, joins him on the course in seeking the women’s marathon title. An Olympian in 2016, she also owns a pair of 35K titles here. Spring Valley’s Natos Corvera looks to defend his men’s 10K title (44:36), while his wife, Celina Lepe-Corvera, is bypassing a repeat bid as the women’s champion following the recent birth of their first child.

Prize money: The top three U.S. men and women will earn $8,000, $6,000, and $4,000, respectively. The USATF prize purse, combined with the international fund, totals $60,000.

GLAE THIEN