Age-Grading In Ultras

Ultrarunners and Age-Grading
by Roy Pirrung (1/18/03)

I do not have a problem with age grading in trail races of a marathon or less where there are meaningful tables to go by. Although I do feel there may be some flaws when comparing roads to trails as in apples to oranges.

In ultramarathons there are not tables to which you can apply this. I do not feel you can take a 10k standard and then come up with a standard for an ultra event. There are many more factors to be considered when running for 5 hours or more, including eating, bathroom functions, sleep, massage and medical attention (blisters, chafing, sunburn, etc).

I discussed this issue with Norm Green regarding the Hall of Fame ballots and pointed out how none of the ultrarunners were being recognized positively because of their low percentages that came from age grading. The times just do not relate and therefore what many consider a great ultra time look terrible when given an 83% ranking. Now the Hall of Fame ballots reflect that inequity by simply stating N/A.

We fully support the age grading procedure as it applies to those for whom it was developed.

MUT Home
Last updated: 09/14/05
Web Author: Lorraine Gersitz