(Beijing, 18 April) - Jared Tallent (AUS) won the 20km race in the IAAF Race Walking Challenge in a time of 1:20:11 and in doing so became the first athlete to win an event at Beijing's National Stadium.
 
The 23-year-old had been part of a the leading pack of walkers throughout the race, but at the 16km mark he broke from the pack with Wang Hao (CHN) and was strong enough to hold off his challenge and cross the line first for the gold medal.
 
Tallent had been among the leading walkers, but had not led the race until he made his break from Wang, who finished second in a time of 1:20:25.
 
Wang had made a slow start to the race, trailing in 17th place at the 2km mark. He then gradually moved through the field and had taken the lead by the 8km mark, but was unable to keep up with Tallent when the Australian broke away.
 
In third place was Eder Sanchez (MEX) who claimed the bronze medal with a time of 1:20:57. The Mexican had appeared to be in contention for the gold medal, leading at the 12km and 14km markers, but was unable to keep up with Tallent and Wang in the last five kilometres.
 
Pre-race favourite Han Yucheng (CHN) finished in sixth place with 1:21:46. The 2007 Asian Championships gold medal winner made a quick start with teammate Zhu Hongjun (CHN) and had opened a lead of 30m by the end of the first lap on the National Stadium track.
 
He was amongst the leading pack in the middle of the race, but lost strength and fell away from the medal positions.