Ironman Canada 2009 and 2010: Correlation Between Bike and Run Splits

It's the most consistent challenge in all long-distance triathlons: how hard to ride the bike, while still leaving enough in the tank to have a great run. When it comes to balancing the bike and the run, there are four groups: 1. Fast and Balanced; 2. Energy to Spare for a fast run; 3. Left it on the Bike Course; 4. Smooth and Steady for a slow bike and slow run.

You want to be #1 or #4.  Interesting comparison between 2009 and 2010: bike faster in 2009, run was faster in 2010, as was overall finish time. Lesson: ride too fast, in good conditions or not, and it'll cost you on the run. Especially if conditions are hot. That's what happened in 2009, when far more triathletes found themselves in #3 and even #4. See charts below.

Chicago Marathon Race Results Analysis

Race results for the 2010 Chicago Marathon can be found at chicagomarathon.com. In 2009, 33703 runners finished the Chicago Marathon. Below,  average finish times by age in 2009. See how you compared last year, or consider the average for your age as the time to beat this year.

The 33703 came from all 50 US states and 400+ other states/provinces/territories, as shown in the chart below. For more, see our Complete Chicago Marathon Coverage.

Chicago Marathon: Top 10 States, Finish Times: New York is Fastest

At the Chicago Marathon in 2009, the number of finishers in the top 10 states exceeded 23,000, or about 70% of all finishers. Comparing the top 10 states, New York had the fastest field in the Chicago Marathon, with a 4:15 average finish time. Michigan came in second, barely ahead of Ohio, with 4:22 vs. 4:23 average times, respectively. Time will tell, literally, if New York can successfully defend its title in the 2010 Chicago Marathon.

For more, see our Complete Chicago Marathon Coverage.