The effects of course design (elevation undulations and curves) on marathon running performance: an a priori case study of the INEOS 1:59 Challenge in Vienna
Year: 2019
Type: preprint
Abstract: Eliud Kipchoge is scheduled to attempt to run a marathon in 1:59:59 or faster on October 12, 2019. We used publicly available data to determine the undulations in elevation and the radii of the curves on the course. With previously developed equations for the effects of velocity, slope, and curvature on oxygen uptake, we performed simulations to quantify how much the elevation changes and curves of the Vienna course should affect oxygen uptake (at a fixed velocity) or velocity (at a fixed oxygen uptake). We estimate that, beyond a benefit from the downhill in the first 1km of the course, oxygen uptake rates will fluctuate by no more than 2% of the oxygen uptake rates on a flat, straight course for km 1 to 42, leading to an overall increase in oxygen uptake of only 0.11%. Together, we estimate that the undulations and curves of the Vienna course incur a penalty of less than 5 s compared to a perfectly level and straight course. We do not have sufficient data to include aerodynamic drafting in our simulations but the course itself appears to be very well-chosen to minimize the negative effects of elevation changes and curves.
Language: English
Subfield: Orthopedics and Sports Medicine
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W4232903441