Sex Differences In Marathon Performance Are Larger In The Past Decade Than Expected Physiologically

Abstract

The sex difference in performance of marathon runners historically has been larger than explained by physiological differences, possibly reflecting lower participation of females (1). The number of female participants across all age groups has increased in recent decades, but it is unclear if the sex difference in performance has continued to diminish. PURPOSE: To determine the sex difference in performance in the New York City (NYC) marathon across age groups, and with the place of runner (1st-10th place), in the past decade and relative to earlier published data (1980-2010) (1). METHODS: Running times of the top 10 placed male and female finishers (5-year age groups) who competed in the NYC marathon (2009-2019) were retrieved from a public database (https://results.nyrr.org/races). Univariate ANOVA determined the sex difference in the mean running velocity; (% Δ males and females/males) across age groups and place. RESULTS: The sex difference in running velocity increased across age groups (p < 0.001). For 2015-2019, the 30-39-year olds had the smallest difference (12.9 ± 0.5%) and the 70-79 year olds the largest (22.9 ± 0.9%). Across all age groups, the sex difference in running velocity decreased across years from 22.0 ± 0.4% in 1980-84 to 16.1 ± 0.2% in 2005-2009 and plateaued for the subsequent decade. The largest drop was in the two older age groups (60-79 years, 36% to 21%) and the least for youngest (20-49 years, 18% to 12.5%). Across all age groups, the sex difference in running velocity for 1st placed runners was 15.9 ± 0.4 % and increased to 20.3 ± 0.3% for 10th (P < 0.001). The greatest increase in the sex difference (1st to 10th) was in the 70-79 age group (21.9 ± 1.5% to 31.6 ± 1.7%) and the least in the 40-49 age group (13.9 ± 0.6% to 17.8 ± 0.4%). CONCLUSION: The largest sex differences in marathon performance were within the older age groups and lower (slower)-placed runners. Across all age groups, the sex difference in performance plateaued in the past 15 years despite more female participants and the continued decrease in male:female participation ratios. These results also suggest that physiological and sociological factors that impact the sex difference in running velocity vary by age group. (1) Hunter SK, et al Med Sci Sports Exerc 45: 148-156, 2013.