In 2003, Eastler reached his breakthrough season by winning the race walk at the U.S. Outdoor Track &amp; Field Championships, with a time of 1:23:52. He also posted a huge personal best in the men's 20 km walk at the IAAF World Championships in Paris, France, by placing eighteenth, tying the highest finish ever by a U.S. walker in the event, with his time of 1:22:25. Because of his outstanding achievement in the sport, Eastler was named the Male Athlete of the Year by the U.S. Air Force.