How does pacing differ across age groups?
Age and finishing speed are different questions. Compare age groups within a similar time band.
What the data shows
These 11 age groups can be compared within the 3:52:30–4:07:30 achieved-time band.
Positive values mean the second 12.43 mi was slower than the first. The final 1.36 mi is separate. Each age group shows its own sample; this does not track individuals as they age.
All courses · all ages · all recorded categories · all earlier-time bands. Each group shows its own sample size.
Explore the comparison
Pace retention across exact-age groups
Pace difference (%) · higher is slower
View exact values and sample sizes
| Group | Pace retention across exact-age groups | Observations |
|---|---|---|
| 18–24 | 7.7% | 6,414 |
| 25–29 | 7.5% | 17,657 |
| 30–34 | 7.6% | 21,997 |
| 35–39 | 7.8% | 22,112 |
| 40–44 | 7.8% | 23,023 |
| 45–49 | 7.7% | 18,532 |
| 50–54 | 8% | 13,960 |
| 55–59 | 7.9% | 7,039 |
| 60–64 | 7.9% | 3,148 |
| 65–69 | 7.1% | 830 |
| 70–74 | 7.8% | 194 |
How to read this
The bars compare the second 12.43 mi with the first 12.43 mi. Higher means more slowing. The final 1.36 mi is excluded from this equal-distance comparison.
Keep in mind
These are different people, not the same runners followed as they age. Many records have no exact age and cannot enter these groups.
How we calculated this
Compare median percentage pace change from 0–12.43 to 12.43–24.85 mi across exact-age bands. When previous performance is supplied, compare the same 15-minute prior-time band. Otherwise compare the same displayed achieved-time band. Gender and course are held to the displayed selection. This is a comparison of different people, not an individual aging trajectory.
Runner comparison groups contain at least 100 eligible observations. Broader comparisons are labeled; a finish can belong to a runner with several races. Elevation describes the supplied course profile.
We check the raw timings and apply reviewed source-quality rules before forming these groups. Editions with known invalid split grids, incomplete ingestion, unresolved source checks or a selected field are excluded. Missing age or recorded gender alone does not remove an otherwise eligible finish from the overall comparison.
Input data: Marathon results, weather and course data. Read the full methods in source units or browse the marathons, years and data fields.