PARK & STREET-O
Power Walkers Debbie Dodd
W
HEN I saw my first Melbourne Park & Street Summer Series brochure 5 years ago, I knew I was on to something good. My husband Ian was dabbling in triathlons at the time, and thought that Orienteering would be a much more interesting way to do some running training. But it was the “Power Walkers” category that caught my attention. Although I love the outdoors, I’ve never been a runner, but I was drawn to the idea of an hour’s brisk walking on a summer evening. Of course, we were hooked immediately, and have been orienteering as much as possible ever since. Power Walkers is one of the course options provided at all Melbourne park and street events, mostly as a 60 minute score course. It was introduced into the Eastern Summer Series in 1997, and has grown in leaps and bounds since to become the most popular course category. In season 2004/5, power walkers make up an average 30% of all participants; at some events they comprise 50% of the field. Originally, the walking category was dubbed “Ramblers”. Organisers envisaged that participants would take a leisurely stroll around the courses. Little did they know that those walkers would soon become one of the most competitive groups in Park & Street Orienteering! “It’s quite scary seeing them striding in with elbows flailing, descending on the finish chute en masse at 8.05pm” one event organiser told me. The name was soon changed to “Power Walkers”, a much more accurate reflection of the pace and determination displayed. The fastest walkers cover up to 8-9 km in the hour, and collect points to rival many of the runners. But it’s not all about results. The Power Walkers category attracts a diverse range of people, from former race walkers to families with strollers. It is the most popular category for newcomers, providing an entry level to Orienteering for non-runners, partners and families of runners, and larger groups such as scouts, guides, and carer-assisted/ disabled participants. It’s a very social category with competitors frequently pairing up. This provides security to those who feel uncertain about walking alone at night during the winter months, or who have no experience with map reading. (It also enables recent gossip to be shared out on the course, Ed.) There are numerous benefits of having a Power Walkers category. There is little extra organization required; just another column in the results and a little more attention to good course setting. The growth in participation can be significant; in Melbourne’s Western Sunset Series, overall attendance has almost doubled since power walking was introduced in 2001, and in the Eastern Summer Series, attendance has increased by 20% since 1997. While the number of runners remained relatively stable during that time, the number of walkers tripled. Since the Melbourne summer Park & Street program expanded, regulars are competing 3 or 4 nights a week. Many runners are discovering that variety is the spice of life, with walking a good alternative for lower impact sessions. Walking can help prevent over-use injuries and provides a change of format. Originally the majority of walkers were women, but in the last couple of years the men have taken to it as well, creating a new level of competition (and a lot of friendly rivalry between genders!).
20 THE AUSTRALIAN ORIENTEER MARCH 2005
Many orienteers recovering from illness or injury have tried power walking as an “easy” means of getting fit before returning to running; invariably they are surprised at how physically challenging fast walking can be. Some of these orienteers would have been lost to the sport if power walking had not given them a chance to continue competing and getting good results. Some people might argue that walkers can enter runners’ courses; there is no compulsion to run. However, Power Walkers want to succeed as much as runners do! Being able to compete on an even basis is motivating, and helps keep everyone coming back for more. Walking is also a more attractive option for people who see themselves as reasonably fit but not athletic. Having a walkers’ category can be a definite advantage when looking for government funding, which in Victoria is often given to sporting groups who provide programs specifically for women, older people, disabled people and ethnic minorities – all more likely to walk than run at least initially. Power Walking also has a healthy crossover into bush Orienteering. Victorian State Series events have Power Walker classes on three courses; and close to half of the participants on a recent women’s coaching weekend were regular power walkers looking to develop their navigation skills. The social side of power walking builds friendships which give women in particular more confidence to head into the forest. Meanwhile, Ian’s running and my power walking continue to give us all the competition and exercise we need in between weekends in the bush. We can compare notes afterwards, neither one has to compromise, and there are no arguments about being one of us being too fast or too slow (now rogaining; that’s a different story…).
