THE SEX DIFFERENCE IN DISTANCE RUNNING HAS PLATEAUED: AN ANALYSIS OF WORLD RANKINGS

Abstract

1562 Annual world rankings from 1980 - 1996 were used i) to determine if the sex difference in distance running events has stabilized, and ii) to examine whether the relative decline in pace as race distance increases is different between men and women. World best (WB) and 100th best times in the 1500 m and the marathon (42 km) for each of the 17 years were the indices used to represent overall trends in men's vis-à-vis women's distance running. In the 1500 m the sex difference in WBs (11.1 ± 1.1%) was consistent from 1980 - 1996 and the slight rate of improvement in event depth (i.e., 100th rankings) was similar for men and women. In the marathon the sex difference in WBs (11.2 ± 0.9%) was essentially the same as for the 1500 m. In 1980 the marathon was sanctioned as an event for women by the International Amateur Athletics Federation (IAAF). Consequently, the depth of the field increased quickly from 1980 - 1984. Since the mid-1980s the rate of improvement for women in 100th-ranked times has leveled off to equal that of men. The average declines in relative pace for men and women from the 1500 m to 42 km were found to be remarkably similar with no diminishing of the sex difference as race distance increased. Based on worldwide indices of competitive distance running, the sex difference in distance running performance has plateaued in recent years. Concomitantly, opportunities for women to train and compete have approached parity with those of men. The current sex difference in performance is due primarily to biological differences between men and women that give men an advantage in distance running.