I am a numbers guy. I admit it. When it comes to running, I can assure you that I keep track of almost everything. This fascination with numbers had me thinking over the last few days about what the statistics are for finishing times in marathons (I also want to know the information for half marathons but I have yet to find a reliable source for this information). After a bit of searching I found what I was looking for. So for all you runners out there who think your too slow, I believe you might enjoy the following little bits of information.
2006 Marathon Finish Statistics
Male Finishers - 60.1% Ave Age - 40.7 years Ave Finish Time - 4:31:26
Women Finishers - 39.9% Ave Age - 36.4 years Ave Finish Time - 5:06:36
Overall - 100% Ave Age - 38.9 years Ave Finish Time - 4:45:29
2007 Marathon Finish Statistics
Male Finishers - 60.5% Ave Age - 40.5 years Ave Finish Time - 4:29:52
Women Finishers - 39.5% Ave Age - 36.5 years Ave Finish Time - 4:59:28
Overall - 100% Ave Age - 38.9 years Ave Finish Time - 4:41:37
2008 Marathon Finish Statistics
Male Finishers - 59.6% Ave Age - 40.4 years Ave Finish Time - 4:26:51
Women Finishers - 40.4% Ave Age - 36.45years Ave Finish Time - 4:56:44
Overall - 100% Ave Age - 38.8 years Ave Finish Time - 4:38:55
2009 Marathon Finish Statistics
Male Finishers - 59.6% Ave Age - 40.2 years Ave Finish Time - 4:24:17
Women Finishers - 40.4% Ave Age - 36.5 years Ave Finish Time - 4:52:31
Overall - 100% Ave Age - 38.7 years Ave Finish Time - 4:35:42
So why do I feel like I need to bother everyone with these mundane numbers? Virtually everyday I have someone come up and tell me that there is NO WAY that they could ever run a marathon. I am too slow, it is too far or I am too old! These numbers above of averages, so for the sake of ease we can safely assume that there are plenty of people who run faster than these times and there are plenty of people who run slower than these times. Notice the average ages of those finishing. The average age of a finisher is over 38 years old!!!
It is NEVER too late to challenge yourself to do something that you think is impossible!
Happy Running!
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