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, or Virginia, in five-year age groups, for the purpose of stimulating competition in the Washington region. Runners are ranked only according to performances in rated races. To be rated, a race must meet the following criteria:

* Take place in Washington, D.C., 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 (not track)

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 and over. The open divisions will be ranked according to gun time, and age groups will be ranked according to chip time, if chip timing is in effect.

Runners may be ranked in a ranking period by meeting the following criteria:

* Reside in Washington, DC, Maryland, or Virginia (or race here frequently)
* Better the time standard in two included races

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 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. If there are fewer than ten runners, then a top ten may be filled out with single qualifiers. 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. I 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. My 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 James@runwashington.com

The current qualifying standards for the 10K are:

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	 1:29:40
75-79		 1:32:30	 1:39:00
80 & over        1:45:00         1:50:00

The ranking periods for the 2007 ranking year are:

* Winter Runner Rankings, November 16, 2006 to March 11, 2007, reported May-June '05

* Spring Runner Rankings, March 12, 2007 through May 20, 2007, reported July-August '07

* Summer Runner Rankings, May 21 through September 3, reported November-December '07

* Fall Runner Rankings, September 4 through November 18, reported January-February '08

* Best of 2007, reported March-April '08

* Winter Runner Rankings, November 19, 2007 to March 08, 2008, reported May-June '08

Happy racing and good luck!