Hallman won the 3,000-meter race walk in the Young Men’s division (17-18 years old). His time of 13:43 was the fastest 3k race walk ever posted by a South Carolinian n USATF Junior Olympic competition.
It is his first national championship in the sport.
“This is something I’ve been working toward for nearly 10 years,” Hallman said. “Now that it has actually happened, it’s still hard to believe. The training and practice has been exhausting, but it has all paid off.
“Winning a national championship is an amazing feeling that I’ll never forget, but I have a lot more ground to cover before I can reach international competition,” he said. “I just thank God for the strength He has given to me to reach this level. He has given me a gift and I intend to use it to the best of my ability.”
Hallman will compete in a 20-kilometer (12.4) race walk in Minneapolis later this month before beginning his senior cross country season for Pickens High.
“This is a terrific achievement for Jon and a great way for him to start the cross country season this fall,” said Brian Clevenger, coach of the Pickens High School cross country and track teams. “We expect big things from him this year.”
Pickens begins its fall cross country season August 30 with the Western AAA Pre-Region meet at Nettles Park in Clemson.
Unlike running, race walking requires that one foot must be in contact with the ground at all times. In the Olympics, it is the longest of the distance events. The men’s 50-kilometer race walk covers more than 31 miles — five mile longer than the marathon.
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