Performance Analysis on Trained and Recreational Runners in the Venice Marathon Events from 2007 to 2019

Abstract

The Venice Marathon (VM) has gained fame and prestige over time. It is part of a group of marathons that are recognized worldwide. The aims of this study were to describe the attractiveness of the event over the years according to the gender and age of participants, and to investigate their performances according to gender and age differences in the group of all finishers over 23 years old (AD), along with the best 10% performance (TOP) over a 13-year period. Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of VM race data from 2007 to 2019; the data were collected from the free Timing Data Service website and statistically analyzed. Results: In total, 82.3% of participants were male and 17.7% were female. A significant total increase in female participation was observed over the 13 editions of the VM. Linear regression analysis of AD speeds for each category showed a significant decrease in the youngest categories. Among the TOP athletes, the 40-year age category showed increased performance of both males and females. Analyzing the mean speed by age (AD13 and TOP13), there was a breakpoint in the speed decrease in AD13 in the age categories of 50 years in males and 55 years in females, while in TOP13 the breakpoints were in the 55- and 45-year age categories in males and females, respectively. Conclusion: The results obtained confirmed the reduction in running speed with age, as well as the definition of the VM as an example of a recreational marathon in which the participation of runners over 40 years will increase in the future, and for which specific adaptations will be required.