Pacing in Time-Limited Ultramarathons from 6 to 24 Hours-The Aspects of Age, Sex and Performance Level

(1) Background: Compared with marathon races, pacing in time-limited ultramarathons has only been poorly discussed in the literature. The aim of the present study was to analyze the interaction of performance level, age and sex with pacing during 6 h, 12 h or 24 h time-limited ultramarathons. (2) Methods: Participants (n = 937, age 48.62 +/- 11.80 years) were the finishers in 6 h (n = 40, 17 women and 23 men), 12 h (n = 232, 77 women and 155 men) and 24 h (n = 665, 166 women and 409 men) ultramarathons. The coefficient of variation (CV), calculated as SD/mean, was used to described pacing. Low scores of CV denoted a more even pacing, and vice versa. A two-way analysis of variance examined the main effects and interactions of sex and race duration on age, race speed and pacing. (3) Results: More men participated in the longer race distances than in the shorter ones and men were older and faster than women. Comparing the 6 h, 12 h and 24 h races, the finishers in the 6 h were the fastest, the finishers in the 12 h were the oldest and the finishers in the 24 h showed the most variable pacing. Furthermore, the faster running speed in the 12 h (women, r = -0.64; men, r = -0.49, p < 0.001) and the 24 h (r = -0.47 in women and men, p < 0.001) was related to less variable pacing. (4) Conclusions: These data might help runners and coaches to choose the the proper duration of a race and training programs for their athletes.

Automated summary

In time-limited ultramarathons, male participants were more likely to compete in longer races and were older and faster than their female counterparts. Among the finishers, those in the 6-hour race were the fastest, while those in the 12-hour race were the oldest, and those in the 24-hour race displayed the most variable pacing. Additionally, faster running speeds were associated with more consistent pacing in the 12-hour and 24-hour races.