Although our members like to try their best, our club is definitely not comprised of only elite competitors. We encourage our members to compete in races. Whether you are competing against yourself or someone else racing is a tremendous motivator. We have race walkers at recreation, world class, and all levels between as club members.
Why Belong
The Indiana Racewalkers’ Club was formed in 1989 and has a stated mission to promote and train people in the sport of race walking. As a club, we are interested in providing all levels of walkers the opportunity to learn how great race walking is. Our aim is show people how enjoyable race walking can be and to highlight its obvious positive effect on one’s health.
The Indiana Racewalkers’ Club is one of the nation’s largest race walking clubs. The IRWC focuses only on race walking. The club currently has, and over the years had many nationally recognized competitors.
We are proud of our members’ accomplishments but that is just one aspect of the club’s mission. Our goal is to promote and teach people about the sport of race walking. Race walking is a technical sport and takes effort to learn. We welcome anyone, at any fitness level, who is interested in learning how to race walk.
Many runners plagued with injuries have extended their competitive careers by switching to race walking. Race walking reduces the impact on your joints (primarily, knees, hips, and ankles) compared to running because there is no flight phase (both feet off the ground) during your stride.
We love our running brethren and never would discourage anyone from running but race walking, done properly, utilizes about 95% of the body’s muscle groups whereas running utilizes about 65%.
Membership Dues
The annual dues are reasonable:
- $10.00 for individual youth (under 19)
- $18.00 for individuals
- $24.00 for families (family members must live at the same address)
Membership Benefits
- Frequent Communication – Newsletters, web site with up to date race walking information
- Social events – Summer picnic, awards ceremony and Christmas party
- Library of training materials (books and tapes) for club members to check out
- Training advice
- Club member and All Comers races
- Race Walk clinics with nationally known race walk instructors
- Great looking club gear available at reasonable prices
- Discounts on tech gear from Indianapolis area stores
- Runners Forum, Carmel – 15% (cash and checks) on regularly priced gear and 10% on credit card purchases
- Athletic Annex, Indianapolis – 15% (cash and checks) on regularly priced gear and 10% on credit card purchases
- The Running Company, Indianapolis, Carmel, Fishers, and Greenwood – 15% (cash and checks) on regularly priced gear and 10% on credit card purchases