Influence of Sex, Athletic Category and Athletic Level on Marathon Pacing Strategy: An Analysis of the Trinidad Alfonso EDP Valencia Marathon From 2014 to 2023

The main objective of this study was to analyse the evolution of pacing in the Valencia Marathon from 2014 to 2023 in relation to sex, age and athletic level. A total of 146,108 runners were included in this study, grouped into 10 athletic categories and eleven performance level categories. Pacing was assessed through nine race segments, each covering a 5 km split. All data were obtained from the official website. Absolute speed (m/s) and relative speed per segment were calculated for each section, along with the coefficient of variation (CV) in speed and other variables such as hitting the wall (HTW). The results indicate that the 2022 and 2023 editions showed the highest percentages of even pacing (EP) and the lowest values for CV, HTW and marathon finishing time. Women showed a higher percentage of EP than men (77.6% vs. 74.3%, p < 0.001), lower CV values (6.79 ± 5.14% vs. 7.40 ± 5.43%, p < 0.001) and a higher prevalence of HTW. A significant decrease in EP percentage was observed starting from the M55 category in men and the F45 category in women. Among male and female runners who finished the marathon in under 3 and 3 h 15', respectively, both EP and HTW percentages decreased significantly. A significant correlation was observed between marathon time and CV of speed (r = 0.551 and p < 0.001). In summary, the results of this study confirmed the effect of sex, age and athletic level on pacing strategy.