27th Annual Student Research Conference
Gender Performance Difference in Major United States Marathons
Sarah E. Branch
Dr. James A. Padfield, Faculty Mentor
The difference in performance times between genders has been well-established in endurance events; however, typically only top finishers are studied. We collected archival data from the largest 5 marathons in America (New York, Chicago, USMC, Honolulu, Disney) for 4 years (2010-2013). A sample was drawn from the 1st, 5th, 10th, 15th... to the 85th percentile for both men and women. This study found that the difference in running velocity between men and women was higher in the 1st percentile than the following percentiles. That is to say, the finishers in the first percentile have a larger gender performance difference than those finishing in the following percentiles.
Keywords: marathon, gender difference, velocity
Topic(s):Exercise Science
Health Science
Presentation Type: Oral Paper
Session: 301-2
Location: MG 1000
Time: 1:15