With his sprightly step, and a physique that most teenagers would envy, 69-year-old Westbury resident Dr. Robert Hylton is a living testament to the benefits of race-walking.

"Most people can't get past the hip-shaking, arm-swinging thing," he says with a laugh. "But race-walking has changed my life."

Hylton became involved with the sport at his wife's suggestion. Now he has over 38 trophies to his credit, and placed second in the state in the 5K race at the Empire State Games last year. In the AAU national ranking, he is currently ranked third in the eastern division.

Hylton's race-walking odyssey began 15 years ago at the Hofstra Healthdome. He joined a group of race-walkers on the boardwalk at Long Beach, and was amazingly able to walk 8 miles. "I have always had a lot of stamina," he explained, "but I was lacking technique. Still, I outwalked all but one person that day."

Two weeks later, after training that included walks along the Wantagh Parkway to Jones Beach and back, Hylton participated in the 13.1-mile Long Island Half Marathon. "I did very well, and I was hooked."

Hylton is currently a member of Walk USA, a club composed of walkers of all ages, from all walks of life. They meet every Tuesday and Thursday in Hauppauge to practice. Hylton competes in about 10-15 races a year. In open races, where he competes with racers from all age levels, he often falls behind. However, he usually places first in races that include competitors in the 65 to 70-year-old group.

Most races are held outdoors on metered courses. Hylton competes primarily in the 5 and 10K. His best time in the 5K is 32 minutes, which averages out to 10-minute-miles. His fastest time in the 10K is 66 minutes. At the Empire State Games last year, Hylton was beaten by a person who was three years younger, three minutes faster, and had 35 years experience with the sport. World Class race-walkers do the 5K in 19 minutes.

"People tend to think that as a person gets older, he declines," Hylton said. "I've actually improved with age. I developed some bad habits, so I'm still working on my technique." Techniques that race-walkers aim to improve are a heel-toe walk, and straight-legged gait. A bent-kneed walk, called creeping, could get a racer disqualified by a judge.

In addition to Walk USA practices, Hylton works out four times a week at a local gym. "I fly around the gym," he said, "and people can't believe I'm 69 years old."

There are tremendous health benefits associated with race-walking. Hylton, himself, used to have sciatica, until he started walking. Then it disappeared completely, never to return again. "Race-walking strengthens your lower back, keeps you in condition, and gives you an overall good feeling" he explained. Fortunately, he is not plagued with knee-problems that sometimes ail race-walkers. His only health complaint is a touch of arthritis in his big toe.

Currently an Olympic event, race-walking is very popular in Mexico, Russia and some European countries. "They are trying to build up race-walking in America," explained Hylton, "but they haven't had much success." There is only one college in the United States that offers a race-walking scholarship, and students who race-walk in high school are often forced to abandon the sport in college because teams are scarce.

A retired school psychologist in the New York City district, Hylton was quick to promote the mental health benefits of race-walking. "It helps you grow old gracefully," he said. "I can see myself race-walking until I am 90."