Effects of training and anthropometric factors on marathon and 100-km ultra-marathon race performance

Background: Marathon (42-km) and 100-km ultra-marathon races are increasing in popularity. The aim of the present study was to investigate potential associations of anthropometric and training variables with the performance in these long-distance running competitions. Methods: Training and anthropometric data from a large cohort of marathoners and 100-km ultra-marathoners provided the basis of this work. Correlations between training and anthropometric indices of subjects and race performance were assessed using bivariate and multiple regression analyses. Results: A combination of volume and intensity in training was found to be suitable for the prediction of marathon and 100-km ultra-marathon race pace. The relative role played by these two variables was different, training volume was more important than training pace for the prediction of 100-km ultra-marathon performance, while the opposite was found for marathon. Anthropometric characteristics in terms of body fat percentage negatively affected 42-km and 100-km race performance. However, when this factor was relatively low (i.e. less than 15% body fat), the performance of 42-km and 100-km races can be predicted with good accuracy on the basis of the sole training indices. Conclusions: Mean training weekly distance run and mean training pace were the key predictor variables for both marathon and 100-km ultra-marathon race performance. For runners with a relatively low body fat, predictive correlations for the race performance are provided.