One of the best race walkers in the history of the event, Kimbery Garcia achieved an extraordinary accomplishment in her first race of the season.
She broke the 35km race walk world record with her time of 2:37:44 at the Dudinska 50 on Saturday, which is a part of the World Athletics Race Walking Tour Gold.
“I knew I was in good shape and that I could challenge the world record,” Garcia told World Athletics after the event. “The first 20km was ok and at a good pace, then I started to tire and the wind got stronger. Thankfully I found some extra energy for the final five kilometres.
“It’s a big thing for me to achieve this record,” Garcia said. “I still think I can go faster, maybe at the World Championships. I’m not planning any more 35km races before Budapest.”
Garcia, who represents Peru, is no stranger when it comes to elite performances on the big stage. Last season, she won two gold medals at the World Athletics Championships in Oregon in the 35km race walk, as well as the 20km race walk.
She also finished second in the South American Race Walking Championships in the 20km last February, and later on in April, she set the 35km South American record in the event. She was a finalist for the World Athlete of the Year.
