An athlete checks his watch to adjust his speed during the start of a national race walk. One section opened in Hohhot, in North China’s Inner Mongolia autonomous region. Race walking is a long-distance heel-to-toe sport that is different from running, in that one foot must appear to be on the ground at all times. The event kicked off simultaneously on May 8 at four venues in Hohhot, Qinhuangdao, Changbai Mountain and in Kunming. [Photo/Xinhua]

Athletes hit the track during the race walking event, on May 8. The event consisted of two categories, which were the 10,000 meters for men and 10,000 meters for women. A total of 86 athletes from the national team, Inner Mongolia team, Yunnan team, Guangdong team and Jilin team participated in the event. [Photo/Xinhua]