USATF recently announced the 2007 schedule for the USA Race Walking Grand Prix series. The Grand Prix, now in its 4th year, looks to follow up on a very successful 3rd campaign which saw individual and team scoring numbers rise by over 10%. Over $43,000 in prize money was awarded in 2006 and more is expected in 2007.

The 2007 USARWGP will have 11 races in the traditional Open division, of which, 8 will include team scoring. Race distances will range from 1 Mile to 50K and include both road and track events. New for 2007 is the Junior division, for athletes under 20 years of age. The Junior Grand Prix will include 9 events, on the road and track, from 5000m to 20K.

For the first time, the prestigious Penn Relays will also be a part of the USARWGP, as it is one highest quality events on the US calendar and has served a springboard for race walkers for many years.

2007 USA Race Walking Grand Prix Schedule
Open Division (11 events)

(Date Event Location Team Scoring)
1/28 USA 50 km Championships Chula Vista, CA Yes
2/2 USA 1 Mile Championships (Millrose Games) New York, NY No
2/24-25 USA Indoor Championships (3000m/5000m) Boston, MA No
3/17 USA Team Trials - Pan Am Cup (20 km) Miami, FL Yes
6/2 USA 10 km Championships Niagara Falls, NY Yes
6/23-24 USA Outdoor Championships (20 km) Indianapolis, IN No
8/19 USA 15 km Championships Minneapolis, MN Yes
9/9 USA 40 km Championships Ocean Township, NJ Yes
10/6 USA 5 km Championships Kingsport, TN Yes
10/14 USA 1 Hour Championships Waltham, MA Yes
10/28 USA 30 km Championships Hauppauge, NY Yes

Junior Division (9 events)
(Date Event Location)
3/17 USA Team Trials - Pan Am Cup (10K) Miami, FL
4/28 Penn Relays (5000m/10000m) Philadelphia, PA
6/2 USA 10K Championships Niagara Falls, NY
6/23-24 USA Outdoor Championships (10000m) Indianapolis, IN
8/12 NACAC Cup (5 km/10 km) Hauppauge, NY
8/19 USA 15 km Championships Minneapolis, MN
10/6 USA 5 km Championships Kingsport, TN
10/14 USA 1 Hour Championships Waltham, MA
10/28 USA 20 km Championships Hauppauge, NY

Eligibility
* All individuals must be members of USATF, in good standing, prior to the start of each event.

* This applies to all collegiate athletes as well.

* All individuals may only compete for the team they are registered under in the USATF Membership database on race day.

* No day-of-race changes will be accepted. USATF team-change rules apply.

Individual scoring
* The top 10 overall U.S. finishers, men and women, will score in each race in the Series (10 for first, 9 for second, 8 for third, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, and 1).

* A bonus of 2 points will be given to the winner if they break the national record at the race distance.

* Junior division athletes may also score in the Open division in races where both divisions are contested.

Team scoring
* The top 3 teams will score points in the selected team-scoring events, by gender (10 for first, 8 for second, 6 for third).

* All teams must meet USATF eligibility rules to score. Standings

* Grand Prix standings in the Open division will be calculated by adding the points obtained at the best seven (7) of the races for individuals and teams.

* Grand Prix standings in the Junior division will be calculated by adding points obtained at the best five (5) of the races.

Awards
* Open: The top 3 individual men and women & the top 3 men's and women's teams overall.

* Junior: The top 3 individual men and women.

* Athletes and teams will be presented with awards and recognized at the USATF Annual Meeting.

Full details on the USA Race Walking Grand Prix can be found online at www.usatf.org, or by contacting the USARWGP Coordinator, Michael Roth, at michael@mjroth.com.