The 50km showed that supreme speed endurance, and lessons learned from experience, will outmatch plain endurance as Russia’s Vladimir Kanaykin claimed a last gasp win in the Men’s 50km walk at the 7th European Cup in Leamington. Kanaykin, right, who holds the world best for the 35km walk, won the 2002 World Junior Championships and took the silver medal at the 2004 World Junior Championships, but had yet to translate that promise in senior international competition, despite several faltering attempts.

Russia emerged victorious in both Junior races, winning both the men’s and women’s individual and team events.

"The beautiful town of Royal Leamington Spa was famed in Victorian times for its healing waters. Visitors came to soothe aches, pains and ailments by bathing in pools filled with the salty spa water."

"The packed schedule gets underway at 8am on Sunday with the longest race in athletics - the mens’ 50km walk, while a Junior 10km for Men and Women will precede the hightlights of the events, the 20km for Men and Women."