The Sex Difference in 6-h Ultra-Marathon Running-The Worldwide Trends from 1982 to 2020

Abstract

Background and Objectives: The 6-h ultra-marathon is the shortest time-limited ultra-marathon race, but little has been investigated regarding this race format. Previously, only the age of peak performance in the context of longer time-limited ultra-marathons was determined. The purpose of this study was to investigate the trends in 6-h ultra-marathon races from 1982 to 2020 for female and male ultra-runners, the participation and performance by countries, the age of peak performance, and the differences in performance regarding countries. Materials and Methods: The sample included 23,203 female ultra-runners, aged 18-83 years, and 87,264 male ultra-runners, aged 18-85 years, who were finishers in a 6-h ultra-marathon held between 1982 and 2020. The age of peak performance was tested using the Kruskal-Wallis test, followed by the Bonferroni Correction. The difference in performance by countries was verified using a linear regression model with the fastest runners from Russia in women, and Tunisia in men, used as reference. Results: Over the years, the men-to-women ratio decreased. The mean age was 43.20 ± 9.30 years for female and 46.09 ± 10.17 years for male runners. Athletes in younger age groups were faster than athletes in older age groups. Most female and male participants originated from Germany. Women from Russia (10.01 ± 1.28 km/h) and men from Tunisia (12.16 ± 1.46 km/h) were the fastest. Conclusions: In summary, in 6-h ultra-marathons held between 1982 and 2020, the participation for both women and men increased, while the men-to-women ratio decreased. The mean age was higher in men compared to women. Most female and male runners originated from Germany, but the fastest women were from Russia, and the fastest men from Tunisia. Future studies need to investigate whether Russian women and Tunisian men are also the best in other distance-limited ultra-marathon races, such as 12-h and 24-h.

Keywords: age of peak performance; endurance; nationality; ultra-running.

Figure 1

Sex participation and ratio men/woman during the 6-h ultra-marathons across the world.

Figure 2

Female runners’ distribution by countries in 6-h ultra-marathons, by year groups ( (A) until 1990; (B) 1991–2000; (C) 2001–2010; and (D) 2011–2020).

Figure 3

Male runners’ distribution by countries in 6-h ultra-marathons, by year groups ( (A) until 1990; (B) 1991–1999; (C) 2000–2010; and (D) 2011–2020).

Figure 3

Male runners’ distribution by countries in 6-h ultra-marathons, by year groups ( (A) until 1990; (B) 1991–1999; (C) 2000–2010; and (D) 2011–2020).

Figure 4

Age of peak performance. (a) Athlete’s performance in running speed, considering age interval—women; (b) differences in age of peak considering the athletes race position—women; (c) athlete’s performance in running speed, considering age interval—men; (d) differences in age of peak considering the athletes race position—men. ** p-adjusted below than 0.001.