GROUND BREAKING RESEARCH INTO THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE MARATHON

PRESS
RELEASE 16 April 2009



GROUND BREAKING RESEARCH INTO THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE MARATHON



The Association of Road Racing Statisticians {ARRS} are proud to announce
that the ongoing research undertaken by their network statisticians into
the development of the Marathon has reached a significant milestone.



The Annual Marathon Rankings Project , led and co-ordinated by Andy
Milroy, has now documented the last 70 years. Annual lists - usually 200
performers deep - for the years 1940-2009 are posted on the ARRS website.
http://www.arrs.net/YR_Mara.htm



The Yearly Marathons Project, led and co-ordinated by Ken Young, has now
produced well developed draft lists for EVERY known marathon held during the
years 1940-2009. http://www.arrs.net/MaraList.htm



Together these two projects take marathon research far beyond what has
previously been attempted. The ARRS network statisticians from across the
globe have pooled their research and knowledge to create the most complete
picture of the event which has come to dominate long distance running in the
latter half of the twentieth century and into the twenty0first.



Ken Young, who manages the database and website for ARRS, said "The work
done thus far is a huge achievement, particularly bearing in mind that ARRS
has only been in existence for a little over five years."



"The intention is to extend the research back to 1900 and earlier, and
excellent progress is already been made towards achieving this."



In addition to the Marathons projects, the ARRS website also documents
hundreds of long held marathons, road , track and cross country races,
including national and international championships. Further information
can be easily accessed at www.arrs.net



For further information contact:



Andy Milroy at AndyMilroy@blueyonder.co.uk

Ken Young at kcy@frontiernet.net