More on Boston Marathon Repeat Runners

I've added in 2003 into the comparisons. First, I compared 2004 with 2003. For those trying to improve their times, 2004 was tough. The heat took its toll. 207 out of 1000 men ran in both the 2004 and 2003 marathons. Out of these 163 (79%) ran slower. Only 44 ran faster. It was worse for the women. Out of 139 repeat runners in the top 1000, 124 (89%) ran slower.

I then looked at the top 1000 runners who have run 2003, 2004, and 2005. I then compared the times between 2003 and 2005. Neither of these years were hot like 2004 so it would provide a better comparison. In 2003 the temperature was around 50°F. This year it was around 63°F.

I found 97 top 1000 men who ran all three years. Out of these 51 (53%) ran faster in 2005 than in 2003. For the women, I only found 48 who ran all three years. The majority of these women ran slower in 2005 (26 out of 48 or 54%.)

At least for these comparisons, the temperatures seem to affect the women more.

Below are the details based on the results from marathonguide.com. Note that some repeat runners may have been missed if they didn't finish in the top 1000 in one of the years or if their names weren't exactly the same in all years. Also note, faster means that the runner ran faster in the later year.

Male 2004 and 2003 Repeat Boston Marathon Runners

2004 vs 2003 Change	Number	Percent
over 30 min faster		0
15 to 30 min faster	1	0.5
5 to 15 min faster	10	4.8
0 to 5 min faster	33	15.9
0 to 5 min slower	38	18.4
5 to 15 min slower	96	46.4
15 to 30 min slower	29	14
over 30 min slower		0
Total	207	100

Female 2004 and 2003 Repeat Boston Marathon Runners

2004 vs 2003 Change	Number	Percent
over 30 min faster		0
15 to 30 min faster	2	1.4
5 to 15 min faster	5	3.6
0 to 5 min faster	8	5.8
0 to 5 min slower	25	18
5 to 15 min slower	69	49.6
15 to 30 min slower	25	18
over 30 min slower	5	3.6
Total	139	100

Male 2005, 2004, 2003 Repeat Boston Marathon Runners - Faster means runner ran faster in 2005 as compared to 2003

2005 vs 2003 Change	Number	Percent
over 30 min faster		0
15 to 30 min faster	3	3.1
5 to 15 min faster	23	23.7
0 to 5 min faster	25	25.8
0 to 5 min slower	30	30.9
5 to 15 min slower	16	16.5
15 to 30 min slower		0
over 30 min slower		0
Total	97	100

Female 2005, 2004, 2003 Repeat Boston Marathon Runners - Faster means runner ran faster in 2005 as compared to 2003

2005 vs 2003 Change	Number	Percent
over 30 min faster		0
15 to 30 min faster	3	6.3
5 to 15 min faster	13	27.1
0 to 5 min faster	6	12.5
0 to 5 min slower	10	20.8
5 to 15 min slower	15	31.3
15 to 30 min slower	1	2.1
over 30 min slower		0
Total	48	100

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