Race Walking with On Cloudflow: Light, Low, and Built for Endurance

Back in the days of Queen Victoria, British noblemen used to bet on their footmen to see which one could walk the fastest alongside their carriages. This pastime eventually evolved into a competitive sport known as race walking, which made its official Olympic debut in 1908.

Unlike running, which is a pure speed contest, race walking includes technical elements that must be strictly followed—something judges enforce closely during competition.

This is something South African athlete Kevin Phillips knows all too well. Competing in the 55 to 59 age group, Phillips recently placed in the top five at the ASA 25km Walking Championships.

"Race walking is strenuous, but it’s not as hard on the body as running. The movements are fluid, slow, and low,” says Phillips.

For the race, Phillips laced up in the On Cloudflow—a performance shoe distributed by Tifosi Sports. "The Cloudflow was perfect for the race. You need to choose the right shoe for the right event, and the Cloudflow was exactly the right shoe for the job," he explains. "The shoe is nice and low, provides a good fit, and it’s light and flexible—which works well for race walking."

The Cloudflow is engineered for lightness and speed, featuring On’s proprietary CloudTec® for soft landings and explosive take-offs. It helps reduce muscle fatigue, making it ideal for longer-distance efforts like race walking.

Phillips started his journey with the Run/Walk For Life programme in Johannesburg, and offers simple advice for beginners: "Start with the basics. Don’t push too hard or go too fast. Join an athletics club like Run/Walk For Life and don’t give up."