GROUND
BREAKING RESEARCH INTO THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE MARATHON
Press Release
April 29, 2009
The Association of Road Racing Statisticians {ARRS} are proud to announce that the
ongoing research undertaken by their network statisticians into the
development of the Marathon has reached a significant milestone.
The
Annual Marathon Rankings Project , led and co-ordinated by
Andy Milroy, has now documented the last 70 years. Annual lists - usually
200 performers deep - for the years 1940-2009 are posted on the ARRS
website. http://www.arrs.net/YR_Mara.htm
The Yearly Marathons Project, led and co-ordinated by Ken Young, has now produced well developed draft lists for EVERY known
marathon held during the years 1940-2009. http://www.arrs.net/MaraList.htm
Together these two projects take marathon
research far beyond what has previously been attempted. The ARRS network
statisticians from across the globe have pooled their research and knowledge to
create the most complete picture of the event which has come to dominate long
distance running in the latter half of the twentieth century and into the
twenty0first.
Ken Young, who manages the database and website for ARRS,
said "The work done thus far is a huge achievement, particularly bearing
in mind that ARRS has only been in existence for a little over five
years."
"The intention is to extend the research back to 1900 and
earlier, and excellent progress is already been made towards achieving
this."
In addition to the Marathons projects, the ARRS website also
documents hundreds of long held marathons, road , track and cross country races,
including national and international championships. Further
information can be easily accessed at www.arrs.net