RunTri

Chicago Marathon Race-Data Pace Charts: Every 5k, Every Age 20 to 80

By Raymond Britt author RunTri's Complete Chicago Marathon Coverage

Based on actual race data, we've done the analysis to create pace charts that reflect reality for the Chicago Marathon (and we've also done it for Marine Corps Marathon). We took the results of all 35,000+ finishers of the 2011 Chicago Marathon, and broke out actual split times across the board in three sets of analysis:

1. Overall Splits and Pace: All Runners

Let's look at the overall splits and pace data to illustrate. Starting on the right side of this table, note that the 2011 Chicago Marathon Average Finish Time was 4:40:39, averaging a pace per mile, overall, of 10:53.

Breaking that down to half marathons: all runners accomplished this time by averaging 2:09:54 in the first half marathon and 2:30:46 for the rest of the race. On a per mile basis, they averaged just under 10 minute miles, first half, and slowed to 11:31 per mile second half.

2. Complete Race, Each 5k Split: All Runners, All Ages, from 20 to 80+

But the real action is in the 5k race segments. For each 5k, we calculated the average split for the 5k segment, and also the pace per mile that was run within the 5k. In the first 5k, all finishers averaged 30:16, or a pace of 9:46/mile. By the time they reached 35k, they were running the 5k segment at 36:40, or 11:50/mile.

Now, it gets even better. We completed a comprehensive analysis by age, by gender, by 5k segment, and by half marathon splits for all runners in the 2011 Chicago Marathon. This is your pace chart. This data represents what's likely, what's possible, what's proven. And, of course, what's average. For Example:

You may well be a faster than average runner. Then use these pace charts as a starting point and modify for your realistic pace. If you think you'll run 5% faster than the data on the pace charts, make that adjustment across all segments. Then go out there and nail the splits throughout the course on race day.

With these more realistic pace charts, this presentation of what can be expected on the Chicago Marathon course, runners are far more likely to manage their pace, expectations, and endurance on the way to their best finish ever.

3. First and Second Half Marathon Splits: For Each Race Division

Taking the half-marathon analysis the next level, we developed first- and second-half splits for all age segments.

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Heroes: Inspired Endurance, Eternal Lessons

My father passed away unexpectedly on October 5, 2004. His spirit did not. It lives on for eternity.

(Read on, if you've got someone who's inspired you to endurance success, you'll relate)

An Endurance Racing Inspiration

He was deeply involved in my endurance racing career, and earned many lasting friendships with racing colleagues and competitors, as he followed me to races in Germany, Switzerland, Canada and Kona. His endurance was demonstrated at these events sharing endless support, encouragement and celebration with us on the course, from start to finish, dawn to dusk, for as long as it took for our journeys to end.

Fate

In an incredibly improbable coincidence, it appears that he died at about the same time I, in an office 26 miles away, wrote and submitted the following Op/Ed piece to the Chicago Sun-Times, related to the upcoming Chicago Marathon. (it was published October 8, 2004)

The piece's title -- Heroes -- was about the awesome power in ordinary people who achieve the extraordinary, about how their unstoppable human spirit makes it possible to tackle and overcome challenges that once seemed ridiculously impossible.

Vision

In writing the piece, my vision was that the character, vigilance and determination of those runners can be in all of us, inspiring others to aspire to similarly unthinkable heroics, as individuals, partners, parents, sons and daughters, defenders of our safety and freedom, local and world leaders, and, perhaps most importantly, as the ones who're unquestionably there to help the fearful, helpless, dispirited, or lost, to lead them on the journey towards the light, towards a life of hope, health and happiness.

The E.S.P Eulogy

A close friend from Boston arrived days later to attend my father's wake. He read my Op/Ed, and immediately said: what you've written here is in many ways, about your father; it's effectively a eulogy.

And indeed, the spirit and vision of this piece (print version above, text version shared below) framed an exceptionally heartfelt eulogy at Dad's funeral, 10/10/04.

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[Originally published by Chicago Sun-Times, October 8, 2004; also shown in image above]

Heroes

In a time overwhelmed with concerns about terrorism, war, mudslinging politics, and athletic scandal, we need heroes more than ever — people who have a goal, who deliver and who inspire without question, controversy or scandal.

On Sunday, Chicago will witness up to 40,000 heroes — from the world’s best to complete novices — runners who will start, discover, battle and ultimately finish something each and every one of them once thought impossible, even ridiculous; the Chicago Marathon — 26 miles, 385 yards.

The marathon route is an unparalleled city showcase, passing Millennium Park, the Loop, Lincoln Park Zoo, Lake Shore Drive, the Lyric Opera House, The Mercantile Exchange, Greek Town, Chinatown, the White Sox ballpark, Sears Tower, and finally, the Grant Park finish area.

It’s a spectacular journey, but not one without its challenges. There will be a point for every runner Sunday when, in the face of increasing fatigue, aches, pain and the devilishly tempting opportunity to simply stop, they will choose to continue.

Why?

Because the runners are there for a reason: to fulfill a once-in-a-lifetime goal; to run a personal best; to disprove those who say they can’t; or simply to do something that at one time seemed beyond reach.

And as they approach the finish line, these reasons will make Sunday’s marathoners heroes to a Chicago that values achievement, to the appreciative charities that the runners support, to their admiring families and children, and yes, somewhere deep inside, to themselves.

Remember, this was once inconceivable.

There is no better place to view the entire human emotional spectrum than at the finish line. There you will see elation, exhaustion, exhilaration, frustration, pain, relief, hugs of excitement and tears of joy. In short: real life.

More important, you will see the everyday heroes who capture the never-give-up spirit of Chicago, temporarily transcending controversial headlines to deliver on an awesome promise that started the day: To prove the impossible is actually possible.

Ironman Lake Tahoe 2014: Cancelled, Reportedly Due to Excessive Risk from Heavy Smoke on the Course

Ironman Lake Tahoe and Ironman 70.3 Tahoe have been cancelled, announced World Triathlon Corporation via its @IronmanTri twitter account, shortly after 7am Pacific Daylight Time.

Word from numerous other Twitter posts (from accounts not affiliated with the Ironman organization) suggest that the events were cancelled due to risks from heavy smoke on the bike and run courses. @IronmanTri's tweet noted 'Further Statement will be forthcoming."

According to data on ironman.com, 1,755 athletes had registered for Ironman Lake Tahoe and 1,066 had registered for Ironman 70.3 Lake Tahoe.

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Ironman Lake Tahoe 2013: Results Analysis

Featured in Triathlete Magazine's Online Edition

By Raymond Britt

The inaugural Ironman Lake Tahoe 2013 crushed triathletes beyond their wildest expectations, with a record-breaking high average finish time of 14 hours and 6 minutes, easily making it the toughest of the RunTri's Ranking of the Top 30 Toughest Ironman Races.

Our Lake Tahoe results analysis is below, but first, for perspective, compare results of this race with our analyses of other Ironman events on this chart (or see our 2014 Race Schedule Page, featuring links to average finish times and details of all other races).

The venue featured breathtaking scenery, but at the end of the day, the views were not much consolation to the 20% who did not finish the race (see how Lake Tahoe DNFs Compared with Other Ironman Race DNF Rates). Fast Facts:

Registered Entrants: 2700+
Did Not Start: 565 (21%)
Finishers: 1,719
DNF: 20+%; DNF on Bike: 267 (12%); DNF on Run: 182 (8%)

See our complete results analysis below, overall, by split, by age group, by DNF by bike and run, and by correlation between bike and run splits. In particular, notice a very remarkable stat; on the splits by age group data table, look at the results by the single athlete in the M70-74 spot: Jim Meskimen finished in a remarkable 13:55:10. Amazing.