Effects of Race Distance on Physiological Demands, Walking Economy, and Disqualification Rates in Competitive Racewalking: Review with Meta-Analytic Synthesis

AbstractBackground: World Athletics' transition from the 20 km and 50 km formats to the half-marathon (21.0975 km) and marathon (42.195 km) as standard championship distances from January 2026 requires an evidence-based physiological framework to guide athlete and coach preparation.Purpose: To synthesise the published literature on the effects of race distance on (1) the percentage of maximal oxygen uptake (%V̇O₂max) at race pace, (2) walking economy, (3) disqualification (DQ) rate, and (4) post-race creatine kinase (CK) in male competitive racewalkers, and to provide evidence-based projections for the new marathon-distance championship.