Two world records in one morning: race walking's marathon era begins in Takahata

Race walking's marathon distance only became official in January this year — and it already has two world-record holders. At the All Japan Race Walking meet in Takahata on Sunday, Japan's Masatora Kawano, a two-time world championships medallist over 35 kilometres, set the inaugural men's marathon race walk world record in 2:55:14. Australia's Rebecca Henderson then clocked 3:14:52 to improve the women's record set by Italy's Sofia Fiorini at the European Championships. Two athletes, two continents, one brand-new distance — and a record book with its first two pages filled in a single morning.