Training Volume and Training Frequency Changes Associated with Boston Marathon Race Performance

Physical training influences competitive marathon performance, including training volume and training frequency changes (TFCs) pre-race. Training intensity distribution (i.e., steady-state, quality sessions, interval training) and cross-training contribute to volume and TFCs that may influence performance.

The aim of this study is to assess the relationships among training and TFCs preceding the 2022 Boston Marathon and race performance.

Adult 2022 Boston Marathon registrants were contacted via email 1 month pre-race. Athletes reported demographics, training/racing experience, and training pre-race. TFCs were calculated by comparing two timeframes: 12-4 and 4-0 month pre-race training. Official race performance was obtained from chip timing data and demographics. Separate linear regressions were used to assess the effects of training and cross-training in 12-4 and 4-0 months pre-race and TFCs on performance, accounting for experience and demographics.

In total, 917 athletes were included (female: n = 495, 3:53 ± 0:37 h race times, 64.4 ± 24 km/week weekly distance; male: n = 422; 3:35 ± 0:39 h race times, 67.6 ± 26.2 km/week weekly distance). Higher running distance/week, running sessions/week (n), quality sessions/week ("hard sessions"; n), average distance in the 12-4 and 4-0 months pre-race (p ≤ 0.050), and more cross-training (p < 0.001) in the 4-0 months pre-race were associated with faster times and performance. Runners with TFCs of decreased running sessions/week (p = 0.035) had faster times and better performance versus athletes who maintained/increased volume.

Habitually higher training exposure 12-4 and 4-0 months, but relatively reduced training frequency 4-0 months pre-race, contributed to better marathon performance.