Road to Brazil heats up with Australia’s premier race walkers locked in

National champions Declan Tingay and Rebecca Henderson will lead Australia’s charge on the road to Brasilia, Brazil for the Caixa World Athletics Race Walking Team Championships on April 12, with the 17-strong team including world record holder and New South Wales Institute of Sport (NSWIS) scholarship holder Isaac Beacroft.

The contingent will look to continue Australia’s rich race walking history, boasting serious firepower across the program and marking the first global championships featuring the Half Marathon Race Walk (formerly 20km Race Walk) and Marathon Race Walk (formerly 35km Race Walk).

With both team and individual success on the line, the Men’s Half Marathon Race Walk lineup form a strong bond as Tingay (WA) and Olympic bronze medallist Rhydian Cowley (VIC) prepare for battle, dreaming big in Brazil.

Kyle Swan (VIC) joining the party will ensure Australia has three of its five fastest men in history over the 20km race walk on the start line, setting the team up for a successful score.

“I’m feeling optimistic on our team medal chances. We just missed out in the 2022 edition and we’re coming back with an older, stronger, more mature team that I’m certain will be a contender for the podium,” Tingay said.

“What I like most about this competition is the team aspect. It’s a chance to showcase depth of talent and is in my opinion a better display of where a country is at when it comes to athletics.”

The Women’s Half Marathon Race Walk quartet is equally well-rounded, built around a young core with two-time Olympian Rebecca Henderson (VIC) the most experienced athlete at 24-years-old.

The inaugural national champion over the distance will be joined by Olivia Sandery (SA), NSWIS athlete Allana Pitcher (NSW), and FISU World University Games champion Elizabeth McMillen (NSW) –three of the five fastest Australian women in history in the 20km race walk.

“This event is special because it’s less about individual performances and more about what the team can achieve as a whole,” Sandery said.

“Aussies are walking faster than they ever have at the moment, so I’m confident this strong domestic form will translate well in Brazil. Both our men’s and women’s teams are well experienced on the international stage, so it will be exciting to see how high up we can finish.”

Adding to the action in the 10km events, Under 20 world record holder Isaac Beacroft (NSW) will look to replicate his heroics from the 2024 instalment of the championships where he won gold, while Zoe Woods (NSW) will lead the way for the women.

The team will be supported by Jared Tallent (Team Leader), Brent Vallance (Team Coach), Belinda Creer (Team Manager), Scott Smith (Team Physio) and Olivia Warnes (Performance Support).

The 2026 World Athletics Race Walking Team Championships will be held on April 12 in Brasilia, Brazil.

Australian viewers will be able to tune in live and free via World Athletics+.

Australian Team for the 2026 World Athletics Race Walking Team Championships

Under 20 Women’s 10km Race Walk – Sophie Polkinghorne (NSW, David Beacroft), Matilda Webb (NSW, Luke Jobson), Zoe Woods (NSW, David Beacroft)

Women’s Half Marathon Race Walk – Rebecca Henderson (VIC, Simon Baker), Elizebeth McMillen (NSW, Jared Tallent), Allanah Pitcher (NSW, Frank Overton), Olivia Sandery (SA, Jared Tallent)

Under 20 Men’s 10km Race Walk – Isaac Beacroft (NSW, David Beacroft), John Ronan (WA, Mike Reid), Owen Toyne (ACT, David Beacroft)

Men’s Half Marathon Race Walk – Rhydian Cowley (VIC, Brent Vallance), Timothy Fraser (ACT, Jared Tallent), Will Thompson (VIC, Brent Vallance), Declan Tingay (WA, Brent Vallance), Kyle Swan (VIC, Jared Tallent)

Men’s Marathon Race Walk – Mitchell Baker (ACT, Jared Tallent), Carl Gibbons (NSW, Jared Tallent)