eval set · question 16 of 22 · graded by hand
Is average weekly running distance associated with faster marathon times across studies?
Higher weekly running distance and related training volume metrics are associated with faster marathon finish times across a large multi-study analysis of elite and recreational runners. 1
In Boston Marathon participants, higher weekly running distance in the months before the race is associated with faster race times. 2
In recreational Hokkaido Marathon runners, higher monthly training volume predicts faster times, but only when per-workout running distance exceeds certain thresholds. 3
Across a very large dataset of marathon finishers, faster runners accumulate greater training volumes, largely through more easy-pace running. 4
What we can't tell you
- Whether the relationship between weekly distance and marathon time is consistent in magnitude across all populations and training levels
- Causal direction versus correlation between weekly mileage and marathon performance
Sources
Increases in various training parameters (weekly running distance, number of weekly runs, maximum weekly distance, long runs ≥32km, training pace, longest run, and weekly running hours) are associated with faster marathon finish times in elite and recreational marathoners.
pop. Elite and recreational marathon runners (42.2km); 137 cohorts from 85 studies, 25% female · direction Positive (increased training parameters associated with faster finish times) · design Systematic review and meta-regression of observational and interventional studies · strong
An evaluation of the training determinants of marathon performance: A meta-analysis with meta-regression. (2019) · doi 10.1016/j.jsams.2019.09.013
Higher running distance per week, running sessions per week, quality sessions per week, and cross-training in the 4-0 months pre-race, combined with decreased running sessions per week in the final 4 months, are associated with faster Boston Marathon race times.
pop. Adult Boston Marathon registrants (917 athletes: 495 female, 422 male; mean weekly distance 64.4-67.6 km/week) · direction Positive: higher volume and quality sessions associated with faster times; decreased training frequency in final 4 months associated with faster times versus maintained/increased frequency · design Cross-sectional observational study with linear regression · weak
Training Volume and Training Frequency Changes Associated with Boston Marathon Race Performance. (2026) · doi 10.1007/s40279-025-02304-4
Monthly training volume is the most important factor in predicting marathon time, but its influence is only significant if running distance per workout exceeds a certain threshold (≥21 km for longest running distance and ≥10 km for average running distance).
pop. Male recreational marathon runners (n=587, 494 finishers) participating in the Hokkaido Marathon 2017 · direction Negative (higher training volume associated with faster marathon times), conditional on running distance per workout exceeding ≥21 km LRD or ≥10 km ARD · design Cross-sectional observational study · weak
Interactions between monthly training volume, frequency and running distance per workout on marathon time. (2023) · doi 10.1007/s00421-022-05062-7
Faster marathon runners accumulate larger training volumes primarily through increased Z1 (easy) training and adopt a pyramidal training intensity distribution more frequently than slower runners.
pop. Marathon runners across performance levels (151,813 marathons completed by 119,452 runners), analyzed 16 weeks before race; fastest subgroup marathon time 120-150 min. · direction Negative - faster marathon times associated with higher training volumes and greater proportion of Z1 training. · design Large observational cohort analysis · strong
The Training Intensity Distribution of Marathon Runners Across Performance Levels. (2025) · doi 10.1007/s40279-024-02137-7