Anthony (AJ) Gruttaduro, a 2016 Brockport High School graduate, has been active in track since middle school. He began race walking in 2015 with his first race at SUNY Brockport. Race walking became AJ’s sport as he continued to train and compete while attending West Virginia University. In 2018 he was the first U.S. competitor to cross the finish line in the 50k IAAF World Race Walking Championship in China.
After graduating from college, AJ decided to focus on his sport, hoping to qualify for the Summer Olympics. AJ moved to Owego, New York, to train closely with his coach Erin Taylor Talcot. He trains multiple times a day, including training out on the roads and doing yoga, core work, stretching, and rolling. As part of his training, AJ cleaned up his diet by cutting out processed foods and eating primarily plant-based and natural foods. “Ice cream is what I miss most,” he laughed.
Full-time training is not easy for a new college graduate with student loans and expenses. “A pair of shoes last me one month,” AJ said, as he puts approximately 100 miles on his sneakers per week. But to pursue his dream of being in the Olympics, he recognizes the need for the sacrifices. AJ has competed in race walking events in Guatemala, Ohio, New Mexico, and Philadelphia, all part of a strategy to move him closer to the Olympics. In December, AJ completed the Guatemala race with a personal best time, which helped him greatly with the world rankings.
The 2020 Olympics were postponed due to the pandemic and are tentatively planned for this summer in Tokyo. Although it appears international spectators will not be permitted, AJ is still moving forward with the hopes of competing in the games.
Finding qualifying events has been a challenge with all the pandemic-related restrictions and cancellations. AJ had plans to compete in an important qualifying event in Ecuador, but the U.S. decided not to send a team due to State Department recommendations. AJ continues to look for other international events to help him qualify for this summer’s Olympics. There may be an opportunity in Finland at the end of May. “My coach and I will need to figure out what is best to qualify. It will be close,” AJ said.
Race walking became an event in 1904 during the London Olympics. At that time, it was part of the Decathlon. In 1936 it became its own event, the 50k walk being the longest foot race in the Olympics.
There are three athletes chosen for the U.S. Race Walk team per event. AJ and his family, who reside in Brockport, are excited with the hopes that this July, AJ may be part of the 2021 U.S. Olympic team.
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