MICHTA-COFFEY and MELVILLE continued to walk stride for stride, helping each other navigate the early laps in relative comfort.

ZDZIEBŁO and GARCÍA LEÓN continued to push the pace with ZDZIEBŁO the clear aggressor. However, both seemed to want to distance themselves from all.

QIEYANG continued to walk her race.

Perez wasn't going to concede anything.

GONZÁLEZ and GARCÍA-CARO led the next pack looking smooth and in control.

The duo for the USA walked step for step while demonstrating very different arm swings. One of the great aspects of race walking is how different everyone's style can be.

The ever patient Stephanie CASEY wasn't going to let her teammates get out of touch and walked with a laser focus.

We'll see a lot of these two, as I am a hometown photographer ;)

Race walking takes so much more sustained focus than any other track and field event. You have to be on the entire time, even if your race is almost 3 hours!

Technique, cadence, and legality are always in your head.

Meanwhile, little had changed with our leaders.

ZDZIEBŁO looked like she was out for a workout, showing no signs of strain.

ZDZIEBŁO and GARCÍA LEÓN navigating the turns.

Both demonstrating perfect technique around the turn. Sadly, the officials were often blocked by the signage and not every walker had such integrity.

QIEYANG also walked the turn flawlessly.

The trailing packs hit the turns next.

More of the pack.

One of the great aspects of watching an elite race walk is the different races ensuing simultaneously.

Alejandra ORTEGA from Mexico cruising around the turn.

As well as Vitória OLIVEIRA from Portugal.