Rebecca Henderson sets new race walk marathon world record

Australian race walker Rebecca Henderson has set a new world record in the race walk marathon at the All Japan Race Walking Takahata Tournament in Japan. Competing in rainy conditions, the 25-year-old from Dandenong completed the 42.195-kilometer course in 3:14:52.

Henderson’s performance breaks the previous record of 3:15:11 set by Italy’s Sofia Fiorini at the European Championships in Birmingham on August 15. Henderson’s time improved upon Fiorini’s mark by 19 seconds. This achievement marks the first time in 20 years that a non-disabled Australian athlete has set a senior world record in an official championship event.

In the men’s category, Japan’s Masatora Kawano also established a new world record for the discipline, finishing in 2:55:14 (or 2:55:15, pending final ratification). The race walk marathon is a relatively new official distance, having been introduced to the international program by World Athletics on January 1, 2026.