Rebecca Henderson breaks world record in race walk marathon
Rebecca Henderson set a time of 3 hours 14 minutes 52 seconds in Japan. It was the fastest race walk marathon in an official championship event.
Rebecca Henderson made history in Japan on Sunday. She became the first non-disabled Australian athlete in 20 years to set a world record at an official track championship.
The 25-year-old from Dandenong ran the race walk marathon in three hours 14 minutes 52 seconds. Conditions were wet at Takahata in northern Japan.
Rebecca Henderson beat the previous record by 19 seconds. That record was set by Italy's Sofia Fiorini.
The race walk marathon is the sport's newest championship event. Henderson is a double Olympian who won by 14 minutes.
She walked alone much of the race. She even passed many of the men in the mixed field.
Fellow Australian Elizabeth McMillen also won the half-marathon. She set an Australian record of 1:31:31.
- 3:14:52
- Winning time
- 19 seconds
- Record margin
- 25
- Age
- 20
- Years since last Australian record
Why it mattersThis is a rare breakthrough for Australian track and field. The last non-disabled Australian to set a global championship record was Nathan Deakes in 2006.
AustraliaAustralian sporting excellence on the world stage; first world championship record in 20 years shows the depth of local talent.
Corroborated bytheguardian.com
✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 2 h ago
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