Participation and performance trends of East-African runners in Swiss half-marathons and marathons held between 2000 and 2010

摘要

BackgroundThis study examined the changes in participation, performance and age of East African runners competing in half-marathons and marathons held in Switzerland between 2000 and 2010. MethodsRace times, sex, age and origin of East African versus Non-African finishers of half-marathon and marathon finishers were analyzed. ResultsAcross time, the number of Kenyan and Ethiopian finishers remained stable ( P >?0.05) while the number of Non-African finishers increased for both women and men in both half-marathons and marathons ( P ?0.05). In half-marathons and marathons was no difference in age between the best Non-African and the best African runners ( P >?0.05). ConclusionsDuring the last decade in Switzerland, the participation of Kenyan and Ethiopian runners in half- and full- marathons remained stable. In marathons there was no difference in age and performance between the top African and the top Non-African runners. Regarding half-marathons, the top African runners were faster but not younger than the top Non-African runners. Future insight should be gained by comparing the present results with participation, performance and age trends for East African runners competing in marathons held in larger countries.