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Even Pacing Is Associated with Faster Finishing Times in Ultramarathon Distance Trail Running—The “Ultra-Trail du Mont Blanc” 2008–2019

Author

Listed:
  • Daniel Suter

    (Institute of Primary Care, University of Zurich, 8091 Zurich, Switzerland)

  • Caio Victor Sousa

    (Bouve College of Health Sciences, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115, USA)

  • Lee Hill

    (Division of Gastroenterology & Nutrition, Department of Pediatrics, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L8N 3Z5, Canada)

  • Volker Scheer

    (Ultra Sports Science Foundation, 109 Boulevard de l’Europe, 69310 Pierre-Bénite, France)

  • Pantelis Theo Nikolaidis

    (School of Health and Caring Sciences, University of West Attica, 12243 Athens, Greece
    Exercise Physiology Laboratory, 18450 Nikaia, Greece)

  • Beat Knechtle

    (Institute of Primary Care, University of Zurich, 8091 Zurich, Switzerland
    Medbase St. Gallen, Am Vadianplatz, 9001 St. Gallen, Switzerland)

Abstract

In recent years, there has been an increasing number of investigations analyzing the effects of sex, performance level, and age on pacing in various running disciplines. However, little is known about the impact of those factors on pacing strategies in ultramarathon trail running. This study investigated the effects of age, sex, and performance level on pacing in the UTMB ® (Ultra-trail du Mont Blanc) and aimed to verify previous findings obtained in the research on other running disciplines and other ultramarathon races. Data from the UTMB ® from 2008 to 2019 for 13,829 race results (12,681 men and 1148 women) were analyzed. A general linear model (two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA)) was applied to identify a sex, age group, and interaction effect in pace average and pace variation. A univariate model (one-way ANOVA) was used to identify a sex effect for age, pace average, and pace variation for the fastest men and women. In our study, pace average and a steadier pace were positively correlated. Even pacing throughout the UTMB ® correlated with faster finishing times. The average pace depended significantly on sex and age group. When considering the top five athletes in each age group, sex and age group also had significant effects on pace variation. The fastest women were older than the fastest men, and the fastest men were faster than the fastest women. Women had a higher pace variation than men. In male competitors, younger age may be advantageous for a successful finish of the UTMB ® . Faster male runners seemed to be younger in ultramarathon trail running with large changes in altitude when compared to other distances and terrains.

Suggested Citation

  • Daniel Suter & Caio Victor Sousa & Lee Hill & Volker Scheer & Pantelis Theo Nikolaidis & Beat Knechtle, 2020. "Even Pacing Is Associated with Faster Finishing Times in Ultramarathon Distance Trail Running—The “Ultra-Trail du Mont Blanc” 2008–2019," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(19), pages 1-11, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:17:y:2020:i:19:p:7074-:d:420588
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Pantelis Theodoros Nikolaidis & Ivan Cuk & Thomas Rosemann & Beat Knechtle, 2019. "Performance and Pacing of Age Groups in Half-Marathon and Marathon," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(10), pages 1-10, May.
    2. Robert Gajda & Paweł Walasek & Maciej Jarmuszewski, 2020. "Right Knee—The Weakest Point of the Best Ultramarathon Runners of the World? A Case Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(16), pages 1-11, August.
    3. Caio Victor Sousa & Samuel da Silva Aguiar & Thomas Rosemann & Pantelis Theodoros Nikolaidis & Beat Knechtle, 2019. "American Masters Road Running Records—The Performance Gap Between Female and Male Age Group Runners from 5 Km to 6 Days Running," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(13), pages 1-9, June.
    4. Nicolas Berger & Daniel Cooley & Michael Graham & Claire Harrison & Russ Best, 2020. "Physiological Responses and Nutritional Intake during a 7-Day Treadmill Running World Record," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(16), pages 1-17, August.
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    Cited by:

    1. Francisco Pradas & David Falcón & Carlos Peñarrubia-Lozano & Víctor Toro-Román & Luis Carrasco & Carlos Castellar, 2021. "Effects of Ultratrail Running on Neuromuscular Function, Muscle Damage and Hydration Status. Differences According to Training Level," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(10), pages 1-14, May.
    2. Aldo Seffrin & Beat Knechtle & Rodrigo Luiz Vancini & Douglas de Assis Teles Santos & Claudio Andre Barbosa de Lira & Lee Hill & Thomas Rosemann & Marilia Santos Andrade, 2021. "Origin of the Fastest 5 km, 10 km and 25 km Open-Water Swimmers—An Analysis from 20 Years and 9819 Swimmers," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(21), pages 1-11, October.
    3. Pedro Corbí-Santamaría & Alba Herrero-Molleda & Juan García-López & Daniel Boullosa & Vicente García-Tormo, 2023. "Variable Pacing Is Associated with Performance during the OCC ® Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc ® (2017–2021)," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(4), pages 1-9, February.

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