Pacing in Time-Limited Ultramarathons from 6 to 24 Hours—The Aspects of Age, Sex and Performance Level Compared to marathon races, the pacing was only badly discussed in the literature for temporary ultramarathons in the literature. The aim of the present study was to analyze the interaction of performance level, age and gender with the pacing during 6-H, 12-H or 24-H temporary ultramarathons. The participants (n = 937, age 48.62 ± 11.80 years) were the finishers in 6 hours (n = 40, 17 women and 23 men), 12 hours (n = 232, 77 women and 155 men) and 24Hours (n = 665, 166 women and 409 men) ultramarathons. The variation coefficient (CV) calculated as SD / average was used to describe the pacing.Low CV values mean a more uniform pacing and vice versa. A two-way variance analysis examined the main effects and interactions of gender and duration at age, speed and pacing. On the longer race, more men participated as the shorter, and men were older and faster than women.In comparison of the 6-hour, 12-hour and 24-hour race, the finishers were the fastest in the 6-hour race the fastest, the finishers in the 12-hour race the elders and the finishers in the 24-hourRaces showed a wide variety of speed.In addition, the faster running speed was connected in the 12 hours and 24 hours with a less variable pacing.
This data can help runners and coaches to choose the right duration of a race and training programs for their athletes. The whole work can be found under https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/13/5/2705