Running
As a widespread fitness phenomenon, running traces its roots back to the 1960s. As a competitive sport, it dates back well over two centuries. If you've fallen for the feel of the road beneath your feet and the wind on your face, or even if you’re just getting started, the Web is a great sources of running information.
For a Spanish-language version of the Guide, click here.
Training advice, race results, event calendars, and gear reviews are plentiful online. Web versions ... read more »
For those interested in following elite running, a number of sites offer expanded coverage, ... read more »
Running is a game of numbers. Runners have three opponents: themselves, their competitors, and the clock. In this section we'll direct you to sites with running statistics, such as the best performers at different distances, record holders, and race winners.
- Because many statistics sites are compiled by unofficial sources, you don't necessarily have a guarantee of quality or accuracy. If anything seems dubious, you can always double-check times and performances by searching for official race results on the race Web site.
- Running statistics sites tend to have lackluster (and at times scary) design and lots of long lists. If you can get past these aesthetic inadequacies, you’ll benefit from their extensive statistical information.
For comprehensive statistics …
Track and Field All-Time Performances
has performance lists for men's and women's running events from the 100 meters to the 50-kilometer race-walk. What makes this site particularly brilliant is how long the lists are. For example, there are more than 3,500 entries for the men's 3,000-meter steeplechase. Listings include the name, time, place, ranking, and nationality of all the athletes.
Athletics Data
has records and statistics for the U.K. and abroad, from 2005 and 2006 in all events and back to 2001 for middle distance events. Search results by event, meeting, venue or date, and search rankings by event, age group, sex, or year.
Tilastopaja Oy
is another phenomenally comprehensive stats site. Along the left border of the page you'll see lists of the year's top performers across different distances.
For the Olympics ...
DatabaseOlympics
has a comprehensive archive containing listings for every Olympic winner since the 1896 games. Listings can be browsed by year, athlete, country, location, or event.
Brinkster
has an impressive statistics database, with results from National Championship and Olympic trials events dating back to the late 19th century, as well as American records dating back to 1890. However, the only free area on the site is the men's National Championship results; everything else requires paying a membership fee, ranging from $5 to $90.
For long-distance races ...
For high school and college ...
DyeStat
certainly lives up to its self-description as the "Internet home of high school track and field." Site founder John Dye and his team do an incredible job of following the latest happenings in high school running. There's a handy results section, news log, and an incredibly active message board.
Trackshark
has news, performance lists (the all-important national qualifying performance lists for all college divisions), rankings, weekly wrap-ups of college track happenings, and meet photography. You can also find interviews with your favorite college runners, and blogs written by college and professional athletes, and coaches.
Hard work and intelligent training are essential when it comes to running faster and farther, no ... read more »
Although your actual training is done on the road, track, or trails, it can be enhanced by a few ... read more »
Different factors, including the shape of your foot, your stride, weight, and the volume of your ... read more »
Like all worldwide sports, there are both domestic and international organizations that preside ... read more »
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