UK Athletics announced today that race walkers are to have their own UK Challenge this summer.

The five events in which they can score points for performances are:

• CAU UK Inter-Counties 10km Championships at Coventry on 17 March

• UK and Race Walking Association 20km Championships at Coventry on 14 April

• CAU UK Inter-Counties 3km Championships at Bedford Stadium on 28 May

• EAA Grand Prix 20km at Leeds on 7 July

• Norwich Union World Trials 5km at Sportcity, Manchester on 28/29 July

The events that have already taken place will be scored retrospectively. Winners of all races, both men and women, will receive adidas trainers and bottles of Heidsieck & Co Monopole Champagne.

The top 10 men and top 10 women in the points scoring tables after the five qualifying events will be invited to race over 3km at the UK Challenge Final at Crystal Palace on 28 August. The most outstanding male and female walker during the series will each receive an adidas kit package.

UK Athletics Competition Manager Paul Aldridge said: “The UK has a rich history in race walking. The UKA Event Management Group is working hard to pave the way for a bright future. This addition to the track and field competition already announced is a logical extension bearing in mind that the primary aim of the UK Challenge is to improve standards in all events on the way to London 2012.”