Statistical effects of lane allocation on times in running races

Abstract

World record data are available for races run entirely in lanes. These are analysed for the effects of lane allocation manifested by curvature of the track, gender differences and the imposition of hurdles. Although males run significantly faster than females and hurdles slow runners down, there is little evidence that the less curved lanes can be traversed faster, nor that seeding the faster runners to the central lanes has any real effect.