Sunday October 28 have been place the French Championship of 50 Km. In the meantime the French walking season 2007 closed with autumn criteria on 20 km. men and women, presenting, at the start European Champion 2006 and silver world medal 2007, Johann Diniz, named this year the best French athlete.
About 50 start in walk 50 Km. The three most interesting athletes (Diniz, Riva and Boulanger) wasn’t at the start. Competition was strong until 35 km. with Cedric Houssaye in front, and Sebastien Biche with Hervé Davaux about twenty second behind.
After 35 Km. Houssaye began to suffer and has bee caught by Biche. The last one wonderful progression permit him to gain the title establishing their new personal best. On second place Davaux , in spite of his intestinal problems, finish in 4h06:03. Greeting his teeth and with high difficulty Houssaye finish the race in 4h07:49.
At the finish the French head coach declares that in World Cup 2008 Diniz, Riva and Boulanger take part to 20 Km. whilst the five places for 50 Km. will be appointed after French Championships programmed in Londe des Maures on March 31, 2008.
In 20 Km. women victory to Stéphanie Iund (1:44:46) in front of Marié-Helen Patruel (1:47:53) and Christelle Jouan (1:51:50); these times are the confirmation of the actual difficulty of French women walking.
In 20 Km. men, at the start Johann Diniz; his presence was more then as a honour guest to be celebrated by his Club (organising the competition) like in order to find a good time win, after to go for a walk of 15 Km. He finish 20 Km. in the time of 1:32:33, with last 5 Km. covered in a little more of 20’.
It is interesting the good actual movement of French walking on 50 Km. Spurred on by Diniz, nine athletes finished this year 50 Km. with a time less than 4h12.30.
In world ranking for Countries, taking into consideration the average of the first 10 athletes of each Country, France is in third position, with an average of 4h01:44, after Russia (3h50:25) and China (3h52:58) and in front of Spain (4h01:54) and Italy (4h03:07). To be observed, as a poor curiosity, the great number of starting over 40 years. ON the total number of athletes starting in the three races (more than 80) only 30% has younger than 30 years, 20% was between 30 and 40 years, and finally 50% aged more than 40 year. Very interesting the time of Pascal Kieffer, 46 years, (4h29:56) and Tournois (4h35:56) and Belloir (4h38:13) both 53 years old. Like incredible the time of Josette Sommier in 20 Km. women (2h22:24), she was bor on Jan. 5, 1936 (71 years).
Very good results in Wuhan (China) where, during the 6th National City Games, two competitions on 20 Km. men and women on track has been carried out.
A big difference with French competition: the youngest ages of the athletes. All the walkers was born between 1987 and 1990. In men competition, another victory arise to Li Gaobo (year of birth 1989, 13th in Osaka World Championships) with the time of 1:20:21 establishing the new junior Chinese record and the 11th world track all-time.
In women competition, victory arise to Liu Hong (year of birth 1987, 19th in Osaka World Championships) with the time of 1:31:16, new personal best and 7th world all-time list on track.
