In addition to being being an all comers event, specific invitations were issues to the junior team coaches and managers, the USATF representatives, race volunteers, race walk judges, and other meet officials.

This judged event was held under the developmental rules we use in Minnesota. This means that the judges were encouraged to coach the walkers on correcting their race walking technique.The race walk judges declined to participate - saying they had to hold their post-race meeting. Sounded like a good excuse to me -- after all, I had to time the 3km, and couldn't walk either :-)