Hoffman, M. D., (2008). Gender-related performance comparison for ultramarathon trail running. ACSM 55th Annual Meeting Indianapolis, Presentation Number, 2182.

This study determined if women matched with men for age and performance in a 50 km trail ultramarathon performed differently than the men in 80 km and 161 km trail ultramarathons. Race results from 1990 to 2007 were examined to identify finishers of the "Way Too Cool" 50 km Race, American River 80 km Race, and the 161 km Western States Endurance Run in the same year. Matching of women with men for age (within 5 years) and 50 km finish time (within 4%) yielded 86 unique pairs from which 161 km performances were compared and 39 pairs in which 80 km performances could also be compared.

The average ages of the men and women were 42-44 years. Running speed for 50 km was 152±20 m/min for both genders; for the 80 km race (151 ± 20 and 150 ± 22 m/min for the women and men, respectively), and for the 161 km race (102 ± 13 and 103 ± 12 m/min for the women and men, respectively). There was no difference between the genders for any race.

Implication. There is no gender difference in 80 km or 161 km trail running performance for women and men who are matched for 50 km trail running performance.

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