Rebecca Henderson

Biography

Rebecca 'Bec' Henderson's journey into race walking began serendipitously when she joined little athletics at five after watching her cousin race. Intrigued, she returned and soon discovered a natural aptitude for longer distances. By nine, she was winning races, and by fourteen, she was setting impressive times in the 10km walk. At just sixteen, she represented Australia at the 2018 World Race Walking Championships in China.

Despite the challenges of balancing her rigorous training with academic pursuits, Bec excelled, graduating as dux of Berwick College and enrolling in a Bachelor of Biomedical Science at Monash University in 2020. She continued to shine in athletics, clocking personal bests and earning silver at national championships. Her debut in the 20km race walk was remarkable, securing her a spot on the Australian Olympic team for Tokyo 2020.

Bec's versatility extends beyond race walking; she has competed in triathlons and marathon swimming, achieving top-five finishes at national championships and participating in the 2018 World Triathlon Championships. Her post-Olympic performances were stellar, with notable placements at the 2022 World Championships and the Birmingham Commonwealth Games.

In 2023, Bec broke her personal best twice in the 20km walk, reaching the third-fastest Australian time. She also set a national record in the 35km walk. Her determination and talent continued to shine in 2024, qualifying an Australian team for the Paris Olympics in the Marathon Race Walk Mixed Relay.