Olympic race walker teaches Sisters folks how it’s done

Fans of the sport of race walking are walking a little taller — and faster — after meeting with Olympian Philip Dunn, who conducted a clinic on Monday, May 23. In the warmth of the afternoon, Dunn demonstrated technique and taught the participants, who displayed a wide range of experience in the sport.

The clinic was held at Sisters Athletic Club and is part of a larger program geared toward encouraging walking at all levels.

The club will host a walking event in September, the second annual Sisters Stride Into Autumn.

Dunn began the clinic with the basics of stride development and the two rules of race walking, punctuating the work with anecdotes from his own international experiences and the history of the sport.

Race walking success will not guarantee someone name recognition, but there are many other, better benefits, according to Dunn and those who regularly participate. A low impact sport with great aerobic benefit, it suits athletes who find the rigors of running taking a toll on their bodies and those who plain don’t like to run.

The two rules enforced in competitive race walking involve placement of the foot and leg. One foot must be on the ground at all times and when the heel lands, the leg stays straight throughout the stride. Conforming to these rules accounts for the arm-swinging, hip-rolling style of the race walker.

Pinky Pagano was attending her first race walking clinic.

“I’ve always done power walking and I wanted to go faster,” she said. “I’ve heard of his clinics and wanted to learn (from Dunn). I was apprehensive at first, but it was relaxed. I had a blast and thought it was great.”

By the end of the clinic, Pagano was confident that she had learned the technique and was looking forward to incorporating it into her regular walking workouts.

Nadean Murray is a passionate and competitive race walker. She too knows of Philip Dunn and has attended other race walking clinics. Always seeking to improve her technique, Murray said, “How often do you get a chance to work with an Olympic athlete?” She is enthusiastic about the health benefits of the sport and particularly likes being able to be competitive in an activity that puts little stress on the body.

Murray and several other Sisters women regularly attend events where they race walk. These are generally running events where prizes are not awarded to walkers, but as Murray says, the competitive spirit kicks in when one seeks to better a personal best.

Dunn also held an evening lecture at Sisters Athletic Club. He shared stories and photographs from his two Olympic experiences in Sydney and Athens. He competes in the 50-kilometer event, and the audience was inspired by his efforts.

Born and raised in the Willamette Valley, Dunn has been race walking since he was 10 years old, after discovering an affinity for the sport during a track meet.

He achieved number-one ranking in 2003.

Soon to turn 34, Dunn competes around the country and internationally, and conducts clinics and race walking retreats as well as speaking about and teaching the sport occasionally at schools. While in Sisters, he visited both the middle and high schools, demonstrating and encouraging students in a sport that has lifelong benefit.