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Editor’s note: This October 22, as we lace up our shoes to participate in the 5K Run/Walk, we are privileged to have world-champion racewalker Sherry Brosnahan (shown at left) walk with us!
It’s interesting to note that Sherry Brosnahan of Bridgewater, NJ considered three other sports before selecting racewalking as her athletic focus. Had she gone another way, this world record-holding racewalker might have been a winning competitor in golf, tennis, or equestrian sports!
“I chose racewalking because of its simplicity,” Sherry said. “All you need is a good pair of walking shoes, and you’re off!”
Of course, to be a champion like Sherry, you need a whole lot more than that, including commitment, focus, love of competition, hard work and years of training, Sherry said she did not start off with all that.
“I was always a walker. My mother would walk everywhere, she didn’t have a car at home. My mother, myself and three siblings – all five of us – would walk to the grocery store and walk back with the groceries. Of course, we walked to school and everywhere we needed to go,” Sherry remembers.
Sherry always had a competitive drive, and for a time as an adult she channeled that into obedience competition with her dog. In 1997, the dog developed cancer, and its competitive career ended.
“A friend of mine said, ‘What are you going to do with your competitiveness?’ and then posed the question: ‘In a perfect world, what sport would you pick?’ Sherry remembered. “I chose racewalking.”
Sherry got herself a book, The Rockport Book of Walking, and started to train. Her first racewalk was 5 miles – and she won her age group. As she finished, a man asked her, “Who is your coach?”
“Of course, I didn’t have a coach,” said Sherry. “That man was Olympian Dave Romansky, and he became my coach.”
At that time, Sherry was 46 years old. She set a goal to be, in four years time, the fastest 50 year old female racewalker. The very next year she went to racewalking Nationals and finished fourth. Two years after setting that ambitious goal, Sherry went to racewalking Worlds in England – and medaled! It turned out that Sherry was best at longer distances, and in fact, broke the world record for Women’s 50-Kilometer Racewalk.
Now 70, and retired from competition, Sherry has a new goal: To be as active as long as she can. Stay tuned for a future article that shares Sherry’s tips on remaining healthy no matter what your age.
Please plan to walk (or run) with us on October 22 at Overpeck Park, Ridgefield Park, NJ. This great family-oriented Run/Walk begins at 1 pm. Along with meeting world-class racewalker Sherry Broshahan, you will help raise funds to support AAHPO's Medical Mission to Armenia. You may register for the race/walk at www.RaceForum.com/aahpo
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