A system comparing your race performance to world records for your age and gender, expressing it as a percentage. Allows fair comparison across ages - a 60-year-old's 40:00 10K might age-grade higher than a 25-year-old's 38:00.
Example: Her 3:30 marathon at age 55 age-graded to 75%, equivalent to a 2:50 open time.
Tables or tents along a race course providing water, sports drinks, food, and sometimes medical assistance. In marathons and ultras, aid stations are lifelines. Learning to efficiently grab fluids and fuel without breaking stride is an important race skill.
Example: Marathon aid stations typically appear every 2-3 miles with water and electrolyte drinks.
A unique ultramarathon format where runners complete 4.167-mile loops every hour until only one runner remains. You must finish each loop within the hour to continue. This "last person standing" format creates intense mental and physical challenges.
Example: In a backyard ultra, completing 24 loops equals 100 miles in 24 hours.
Someone who runs a race without registering or paying. This is unethical - it takes resources (aid stations, medals, support) without contributing. Bandits also make results inaccurate and can be removed from courses.
Example: Bandit running is stealing - race fees cover permits, aid stations, and safety support.
The number sheet pinned to your shirt front during races. Larger races include timing chips that automatically record your time at checkpoints. Your bib identifies you in race photos and results. Never give your bib to someone else - it's tied to your registration.
Example: Pin your bib to your front with all four corners secured to prevent flapping.
Severe energy depletion when muscle glycogen is exhausted, typically around mile 20 in marathons. Characterized by sudden, overwhelming fatigue and difficulty maintaining pace. Prevented by proper pacing, training, and fueling.
Example: She hit the wall at mile 22 - her pace dropped from 8:00 to 10:30 per mile.
The marathon time standard required to enter the Boston Marathon, varying by age and gender. Achieving a BQ is a major goal for many marathoners. Times are strict - for example, men 18-34 must run under 3:00:00.
Example: She trained for two years to finally achieve her Boston Qualifying time of 3:25.
Gun time: from starting gun to your finish. Chip time: from when YOU cross the start line to finish line. In large races, chip time is your actual running time, since you may wait minutes at the start. Personal records usually use chip time.
Example: Gun time was 3:05, but chip time was 3:02 - that's the time that counts for her PR.
Starting groups in large races organized by predicted finish time. Corrals prevent faster runners from being blocked by slower runners at the start. You're typically assigned a corral based on your estimated or previous finish time.
Example: In a big city marathon, elites start in Corral A, with subsequent corrals every few minutes.
Friends or family who support an ultra runner during a race, meeting them at aid stations with supplies, encouragement, and assistance. Crewing is an art - good crews know what the runner needs before they ask.
Example: Her crew had fresh socks, headlamp batteries, and her favorite snacks ready at mile 50.
The maximum time allowed to complete a race or reach certain checkpoints. Runners who don't meet cutoffs are pulled from the course and receive a DNF. Ultras often have strict cutoffs to ensure runner safety and course logistics.
Example: The marathon had a 6-hour cutoff time - you must finish by then or receive a DNF.
The last person to officially finish a race. In the running community, DFL is often celebrated as a badge of honor - you finished when you could have quit. Many races have special awards or recognition for DFL finishers.
Example: The DFL finisher crossed the line to huge cheers - they showed incredible determination.
When a runner starts a race but doesn't complete it. This can happen due to injury, illness, missing cutoff times, or choosing to stop. While disappointing, a DNF is sometimes the smart decision to prevent serious injury.
Example: He had to DNF at mile 18 due to severe cramping - better than forcing through and causing injury.
When a registered runner doesn't start a race, usually due to injury, illness, or other circumstances. Most races don't offer refunds for DNS. This is frustrating but sometimes necessary to prevent injury.
Example: After getting sick the day before, she had to accept a DNS for her goal marathon.
A bag of supplies you give to race organizers before an ultra or marathon, which they transport to specific aid stations. Allows you to access fresh gear, nutrition, or clothes mid-race without carrying everything.
Example: Pack drop bags with extra shoes, warm clothes, and favorite foods for those specific miles.
A 21.0975-kilometer (13.1 miles) race, exactly half the marathon distance. It's a popular "sweet spot" distance - challenging enough to be a significant achievement but not requiring the months of training that a marathon does.
Example: Most runners can train for a half marathon in 8-12 weeks with a good base.
The iconic 42.195-kilometer (26.2 miles) endurance race. Named after the ancient Greek legend of a soldier running from Marathon to Athens. Completing a marathon is a bucket-list goal for many runners and requires months of dedicated training.
Example: The Boston Marathon, held since 1897, is one of the world's oldest and most prestigious marathons.
Running the second half of a race faster than the first half. This pacing strategy is widely considered optimal, allowing you to start conservatively and finish strong when others are fading.
Example: His negative split: 1:35 first half, 1:32 second half = 3:07 marathon.
A runner who accompanies another runner to help maintain target pace and provide motivation, common in longer ultras. In races, "pacers" also refer to volunteers who run consistent times (like 3:30 marathon pace) that you can follow.
Example: Following the 4:00 marathon pacer group helped her negative split to a 3:58 finish.
Running the second half slower than the first, usually from starting too fast. Common mistake in marathons - the excitement at the start leads to unsustainable pace. Almost always results in suffering and slower overall time.
Example: Going out at 7:30 pace when trained for 8:00 led to a brutal positive split and 3:40 finish.
Consuming calories during a race to maintain energy. Critical for marathons and longer - running depletes glycogen stores after 90-120 minutes. Common fuel: gels, chews, sports drinks. Practice your fueling strategy in training.
Example: Her fueling plan: one gel every 45 minutes plus water at each aid station.
Any race longer than marathon distance (42.195km). Common distances include 50K, 50 miles, 100K, and 100 miles. Ultra running often involves trails, mountains, and extreme self-sufficiency. These events test mental toughness as much as physical ability.
Example: The Western States 100-mile is one of ultramarathon running's most prestigious events.
A race where participants run independently at their own location and time, submitting results online. Became popular during COVID-19. While lacking race-day atmosphere, virtual races offer flexibility and still support causes.
Example: She ran her 10K virtual race on her favorite trail and submitted her GPS data.
A 10-kilometer (6.2 miles) race that balances speed and endurance. It requires more stamina than a 5K but doesn't need the extensive training of longer races. Popular among runners looking to step up from 5K.
Example: A 10K is roughly twice the distance of a 5K, making it a natural progression.
A 5-kilometer (3.1 miles) race, the most popular beginner-friendly distance. It offers enough challenge to be rewarding while being accessible to new runners. For experienced runners, it serves as a speed benchmark to track fitness improvements.
Example: Many community "fun runs" and charity events are 5Ks, making them perfect first races.