skip to content
Dovepress - Open Access to Scientific and Medical Research
View our mobile site

12013

European dominance in multistage ultramarathons: an analysis of finisher rate and performance trends from 1992 to 2010



Original Research

(1063) Total Article Views


Authors: Abou Shoak M, Knechtle B, Rüst CA, Lepers R, Rosemann T

Published Date January 2013 Volume 2013:4 Pages 9 - 18
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.2147/OAJSM.S39619

Received: 26 October 2012
Accepted:20 November 2012
Published:11 January 2013
Mohannad Abou Shoak,1 Beat Knechtle,1,2 Christoph Alexander Rüst,1 Romuald Lepers,3 Thomas Rosemann1

1Institute of General Practice and for Health Services Research, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland; 2Gesundheitszentrum St Gallen, St Gallen, Switzerland; 3INSERM U1093, Faculty of Sport Sciences, University of Burgundy, Dijon, France

Background: Participation and performance trends regarding the nationality of ultraendurance athletes have been investigated in the triathlon, but not in running. The present study aimed to identify the countries in which multistage ultramarathons were held around the world and the nationalities of successful finishers.
Methods: Finisher rates and performance trends of finishers in multistage ultramarathons held worldwide between 1992 and 2010 were investigated.
Results: Between 1992 and 2010, the bulk of multistage ultramarathons were held in Germany and France, with more than 30 races organized in each country. Completion rates for men and women increased exponentially, with women representing on average 16.4% of the total field. Since 1992, 6480 athletes have competed in Morocco, 2538 in Germany, and 1842 in France. A total of 81.9% of athletes originated from Europe, and more specifically from France (22.9%), Great Britain (18.0%), and Germany (13.4%).
Conclusion: European ultramarathoners dominated the athletes who completed multistage ultramarathons worldwide, with specific dominance of French, British, and German athletes. Future studies should investigate social aspects, such as sport tourism, among European athletes to understand why European athletes are so interested in participating in multistage ultramarathons.

Keywords: ultraendurance, run, nationality, distance, stage



Post to:
Cannotea Citeulike Del.icio.us Facebook LinkedIn Twitter

 

Other articles by Dr Beat Knechtle

 Running speed during training and percent body fat predict race time in recreational male marathoners
A comparison of medley and freestyle performance for national and international swimmers between 1994 and 2011
A comparison of participation and performance in age group finishers competing in and qualifying for Ironman Hawaii
Age and gender differences in half-Ironman triathlon performances – the Ironman 70.3 Switzerland from 2007 to 2010
Age and sex interactions in mountain ultramarathon running – the Swiss Alpine Marathon
Age group athletes in inline skating: decrease in overall and increase in master athlete participation in the longest inline skating race in Europe – the Inline One-Eleven
Age of peak performance in elite male and female Ironman triathletes competing in Ironman Switzerland, a qualifier for the Ironman world championship, Ironman Hawaii, from 1995 to 2011
Analysis of participation and performance in athletes by age group in ultramarathons of more than 200 km in length
Central European triathletes dominate Double Iron ultratriathlon – analysis of participation and performance 1985–2011
Changes in single skinfold thickness in 100 km ultramarathoners
Comparison of anthropometric and training characteristics between recreational male marathoners and 24-hour ultramarathoners
Gender differences in wheelchair marathon performance – Oita International Wheelchair Marathon from 1983 to 2011
Participation and performance trends in ultracycling
Personal best times in an Olympic distance triathlon and in a marathon predict Ironman race time in recreational male triathletes
Polymyalgia rheumatica in a married couple
Predictor variables for a half marathon race time in recreational male runners
Reduced performance difference between sexes in master mountain and city marathon running
Running a marathon from -45°C to +55°C in a climate chamber: a case study
The effects of an 8-week multicomponent inpatient treatment program on body composition and anaerobic fitness in overweight and obese children and adolescents
Women achieve peak freestyle swim speed at earlier ages than men

Readers of this article also read: