USATF Men’s and Women’s 35K Race Walk Championships

Sunday: 7:30 a.m., 1.25K course in Santee at Riverview Pkwy. and Town Center Pkwy., adjacent to Trolley Square shopping center

Also: Open races at 35K, 20K, 10K, and 5K for U.S. and international men and women and masters.

What’s new: The 35K race has been established as the international standard for men, replacing the 50K, which had its farewell at last year’s Olympics. This puts the men at the same distance as the women, who first raced at 35K for the women’s national championship here last year. Besides promoting gender equity, the change is intended to make the race more fan-friendly and marketable with a quicker finish. Until this, some women were seeking to vie at 50K as equal to men. Women have competed at 20K in the Olympics. The 35K distance equates to 21.75 miles.

Further at stake: Races will also have a bearing on qualifying for this year’s World Athletics Race Walk Team Championships in Muscat, Oman, March 4-5, and the World Track and Field Championships in Eugene, Ore., July 15-24.

Olympians vying: Nick Christie, formerly of El Cajon, comes off his Olympic debut at 20K in last year’s Games, as does his girlfriend, Vacaville’s Robyn Stevens. Christie set the American record at 35K (2:38:16) a month ago in Ireland pending official verification. He goes at 35K here after winning last year’s 50K title. Stevens seeks to repeat as the 35K champion. Her time last year (3:01:11) puts her in range of the U.S record (3:00:43), set by former El Cajon resident Katie Burnett in 2017, based on a time split. Set to debut at 35K are Olympians Maria Michta-Coffey (2012 and 2016) and Miranda Melville (2016). Each has training ties to the San Diego area.

Prize money: The top three finishers in the men’s and women’s 35K Championships will earn $8,000, $6,000 and $4,000, respectively.

Spectators: Are again welcomed after a year’s absence due to pandemic protocols.