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Best of 2008
Best of the Best
2008 Year-End Runner Rankings
By James Moreland
Running on - running on empty
Running on - running blind
Running on - running into the sun
But I'm running behind --Jackson Browne 1977
Best of 2008 - Women's Division
For a complete explanation of how the rankings are compiled, please see Rankings Explained.
It is almost as if the recession is starting to hit running. The numbers slowed a bit. Though not to worry, our sport is still setting records with 857 races during the 2008 ranking period and 400,000 runners.
|
2008 |
Major |
Total |
Percent |
Ranked |
Runners |
|
Winter |
28 |
154 |
4.59% |
2,561 |
55,835 |
|
Spring |
39 |
233 |
2.58% |
3,456 |
134,070 |
|
Summer |
33 |
226 |
3.67% |
3,425 |
93,295 |
|
Fall |
33 |
244 |
2.59% |
3,009 |
116,178 |
|
Total |
133 |
857 |
3.12% |
12,451 |
399,378 |
The percent column in the above table reflects the number of ranked runners compared with the total runners in all the races for that period.
Total men's times increased a modest 3%. Half of those times were run by runners with two qualifying ranking periods. Total women's times closed the gender gap with a 6% increase from last year to represent 47% of the total times in races. Forty-two percent of their times qualified for the year-end rankings. The gender gap closed more as 312 men and 285 women made the standard.
As with last year, the largest division was the Open Women with 55 qualifiers. The Men's Open division had 44, to make a total of 99 in the Open divisions. This year the youngest grandmasters division (50-54) expanded to 45 men while the women's 45-49 took top numbers with 46. The men's 60-64 division is always large, with 43 qualifiers this year.
In the Elite division, Steve Crane led all runners with 18 overall victories. Ryan Carroll was again second with 14. For the women, Denise Knickman (40) spanned two divisions to earn 12 victories. Overall women's champion Hirut Mandefro was next with 11. Sherry Stick (30) had ten victories, including another win over all runners of either gender. In the age group battles, 59 men and 50 women had 10 or more victories.
|
Name |
Age |
Wins |
|
Poulos, Ted |
47 |
49 |
|
Shapiro, Lou |
67 |
44 |
|
Wong, Ronnie |
62 |
39 |
|
Graf, Tami |
72 |
37 |
|
Pointer, Maurice |
53 |
30 |
|
Robbins, Chan |
70 |
29 |
|
Nelson, Dee |
65 |
24 |
|
Platt, Rick |
58 |
25 |
|
Noone, Jim |
64 |
24 |
|
Crane, Steven |
25 |
24 |
|
Page, Jason |
63 |
23 |
|
Weeks, Sharon |
54 |
23 |
Listed below are the three largest races in each of the major race distances:
|
|
Race |
Runners |
|
1 |
National Race for the Cure 5K |
7,567 |
|
2 |
Daisy Dash 5K |
3889 |
|
3 |
Kelly's Shamrock 5K |
3,319 |
|
1 |
Charlottesville 4 Miler |
2,503 |
|
2 |
Twilight Festival 4 Miler |
1,003 |
|
3 |
BB&T Virginia 4 Mile |
604 |
|
1 |
Shamrock Festival 8K |
4,920 |
|
2 |
St. Patrick's Day 8K |
4,065 |
|
3 |
nTelos 8K |
3,463 |
|
1 |
Ukrop's Monument Avenue 10K |
24,055 |
|
2 |
Marine Corps 10K |
3,633 |
|
3 |
YMCA Turkey Chase 10K |
3,317 |
|
1 |
Army 10 Mile |
18,789 |
|
2 |
Credit Union Cherry Blossom 10M |
12,249 |
|
3 |
Annapolis 10M |
4,454 |
|
1 |
Rock ‘n' Roll Half Marathon |
16,312 |
|
2 |
Baltimore Half Marathon |
6,216 |
|
3 |
Shamrock Festival Half Marathon |
5,501 |
|
1 |
Marine Corps Marathon |
18,217 |
|
2 |
Baltimore Marathon |
3,116 |
|
3 |
Richmond Marathon |
2,994 |
To qualify for the Runner Rankings for the whole year, a runner must be ranked with two races each in at least two periods. Many racers change age group during the year. A runner can use an older age group ranking as the second ranking period to qualify for the year. However, they may not use a younger age group to qualify for the older division. It is possible to be ranked in both divisions for those with one younger group ranking and two or more in the older division.
The "Speed Alone," reported at the beginning of each section, is the fastest qualifying time run for each division. In red, it means the division champion ran it.
The * after a runner's name indicate age group win(s) in the age groups. In the Open Division the * refers to overall wins.
Rankings Explained--What It Is, Who Does It, How We Do It, and Where We are Going
The goal of the runner rankings is to rank the best runners of Washington, DC, Maryland, and Virginia in five-year age groups for the purpose of stimulating competition in the Washington region. Runners are ranked only according to performances in included races. To be included, a race must meet the following criteria:
* Take place in Washington, DC, Maryland, or Virginia
* Full results listed on the Washington Running Report Web site
* Must list age (and preferably also city and state of residence) of all runners
* Standard distance--5K, 4-mile, 8K, 10K, 12K, 15K, 10-mile, 20K, 1/2 Marathon, 25K, 30K, 20-mile, or Marathon
* Road race or cross-country
To be included, a race must meet all of the above criteria. There will be no exceptions. If you place well in a race and want it included in the rankings, be sure to ask the race director to e-mail the complete results to the Washington Running Report at results@runwashington.com so the race can be posted on the WRR Web site and counted in the runner rankings.
Runners will be ranked by age divisions for both men and women, with the divisions being open, 19 & under, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70-74, 75-79 and 80 & over.
The rankings are established using a nearly completely objective rating procedure. A preliminary sort, followed by an intensive analysis of competitive results, forms the rankings. The preliminary sort is based on the number of qualifying marks and best times. The final ranking is based on head-to-head competitive results against the other top placers (50%), with time playing a major but secondary role (40%). Our general philosophy is that competition is about beating other runners, and we intend to place an increased emphasis on competitive results.
To qualify for the end-of-year rankings, top priority will go to runners who qualify in two ranking periods. A preliminary sort, followed by a more involved analysis of competitive results, also forms these rankings. The preliminary sort is based on seasonal rankings and best times. The final ranking is again based on head-to-head competitive results, with time playing a secondary role, though at times a deciding role. One special race can at times put a runner over the top, though consistency is a valued asset.
Qualifying times are set in each age division for the 10K, and then adjusted for other distances. We believe in a constant time so that, while a runner may not make the top ten, he or she may consider himself or herself a ranked runner. Our primary concern is that of believability. There should be few surprises. Competitiveness will always find a few disputes. Most runners know whom they can best and who remains unbeatable. The rankings should fairly reflect that. If you have comments and questions or would like to get a more complete explanation of individual rankings, contact the author at james@runwashington.com.
The qualifying standards for the 10K:
Age Group Men Women
Open 34:20 41:15
19 & Under 38:20 46:05
35-39 36:40 44:10
40-44 38:20 46:05
45-49 39:45 48:45
50-54 42:00 51:45
55-59 43:55 54:30
60-64 49:45 62:05
65-69 52:50 75:00
70-74 56:20 89:40
75-79 1:32:30 1:39:00
80 & over 1:45:00 1:50:00
The ranking periods for the 2009 ranking year:
* Winter Runner Rankings, November 17, 2008 through March 8,
2009: reported May-June '09
* Spring Runner Rankings, March 9, 2009 through May 17, 2009:
reported July-August '09
* Summer Runner Rankings, May 18, 2009 through September 7,
2009: reported November-December '09
* Fall Runner Rankings, September 8, 2009 through November 22,
2009: reported January-February ‘10
*Best of 2008: reported March-April ‘10
Major races are races with (500 or more runners or 20% ranked runners)
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Comments
Walt has a good point. 80 and over isn't a very good age group for someone who's 86, let alone someone who's 90. Arguably, the age groups ought to get narrower with increasing age. USATF uses 5-year groups all the way up.
Walt, It's just good to see you out there, still moving along. You're an inspiration to us all.
I no longer even try to run fast any more as I no longer have a 5-year age
group to compete in.
When I entered the age group 80-84, I was much
faster and could comepete
against several age groups. Now that I'm in the 85-89 age group I have
no chance of competing
with someone in the early
years of 80-84 or earlier.
So, I no longer try to compete with anyone.