1. What is Age-Grading?

Age-grading allows runners to compare their race times with others of different ages and genders by adjusting for the expected decline in performance with age. It provides a percentage score where 100% represents world record level performance.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the age-grade formula:

Where:

• World record time — Current world record for the distance (minutes)
• Time — Your actual running time (minutes)
• Age factor — Multiplier based on your age and gender (dimensionless)

Explanation: The equation compares your performance to the world record, adjusted for your age's expected performance level.

3. Importance of Age-Grading

Details: Age-grading allows fair comparison of performances across different age groups, helps track your performance relative to your age peers, and provides motivation by showing how you compare to world-class standards.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the current world record time for your distance (in minutes), your actual running time (in minutes), and your age factor (available from official age-grading tables). All values must be positive numbers.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Where can I find age factors?
A: Age factors are published by World Masters Athletics and other running organizations. They vary by age, gender, and distance.

Q2: What is a good age-graded percentage?
A: Over 90% is world-class, 80-89% is national class, 70-79% is regional class, and 60-69% is local class runner.

Q3: Does this work for all distances?
A: Yes, but you need the appropriate world record and age factor for your specific distance.

Q4: How often are age factors updated?
A: Typically every 5-10 years as performance trends and world records change.

Q5: Can I use this for other sports?
A: The concept exists in other sports, but the factors and calculations are specific to running.