Australia’s best walkers shine in Adelaide

The inaugural Australian Athletics Half Marathon Race Walking Championships have taken place in Adelaide with some impressive times from the country’s best walkers.

In the men’s half marathon walk it was a Victorian sweep on the podium, with Declan Tingay (VIC) taking out the win with a time of 1.23.59, with Will Thompson (VIC) in second with a time of 1.24.04, and Rhydian Cowley (VIC) third in 1.24.52.

It was a return to the podium for Tingay at a national championships.  He was second all the way but took over Thompson in the last lap.

“I’m super stoked,” he said. “It feels awesome to come back after a few years out and immediately get back on to the podium. I’m proud of myself for getting back out here and mixing it up with these super fast guys and taking out the win.” 

In the women’s half marathon walk, another Victorian took out the win with Rebecca Henderson (VIC) dominating for the start with a time of  1.32.25, with Olivia Sandery (NSW)  in second with a time of 1.34.09, and New South Wales Institute of Sport (NSWIS) scholarship athlete Allanah PItcher third with a time of 1.42.32.

“It feels really good, this is my first national championship win in the shorter distance, I’m just really excited to get the win with a pretty good time,” Henderson said. 

“I ran a 40 second PB through 20km, so I’m really happy with that.

“I have been training much better than I ever have and much more consistently as well, so it was good for that to show up during  today’s race.” 

In the men’s U20 10km walk, Isaac Beacroft’s (NSWIS)  impressive year continued, he easily won with a time of 40.39, followed by John Ronan (WA) in second with a time of 40.56, and Owen Toyne (ACT) third, with a time of 42.46.

To finish the day of in the women’s U20 10km walk Zoe Woods (NSW) took out the win with a time of 48.08, followed by Sophie Polkinghorne (NSW) in second with a time of 48.36, and Matilda Webb (NSW) third in 49.08.

The next big event for our walkers will be the World Athletics Race Walking Team Championships in Brazil, which start on April 12.

The  Australian Athletics Half Marathon Race Walking Championships were part of a big weekend of athletics in Adelaide. 

The 2026 Adelaide Invitational on Saturday night was part of the Chemist Warehouse Summer Series, taking place at the SA Athletics Stadium.

Full results can be found HERE

Luke Dennehy, Australian Athletics