Objective of the study was to collect a profile of elite-amateur female runners, who are able to run sub-3-hour marathon (S3HM) including their anthropometrical parameters, training regimes, and best non-marathon race performance and to detect predictor variables of faster marathon time. Methods and structure. Twenty-one Russian female runners (mean weight 52.67 ± 3.88 kg, height 1.66 ± 0.059 m, body mass index (BMI) 19.16 ± 1.29, and years of training experience before their first S3HM 3.95 ± 3.8 years who had completed a S3HM answered a questionnaire. All runners had a main professional occupation other than sports. We gathered information on their anthropometric variables, diet and training regimes. One-third of the runners were vegan or vegetarian. S3HM time was positively correlated with 1-km time in runners with BMI = 19.06 and in subjects running = 344.5 km per month. S3HM time also correlated positively with the half-marathon best time, the sum of 1-, 5-, 10-km, and half-marathon best time and BMI in athletes running > 9 h per week. Running a S3HM requires a long preparation training period, long running distances, and is accompanied by weight loss. Predictor variables associated with faster marathon time become evident only upon accomplishing certain training times and distances. Results and conclusions. Female marathon runners are able to run S3HM if they have no previous experience. Generally, it requires long training rounds (weekly 10.81 ± 4.28 h), lengthy running distances (weekly ~80 ± 39 km), and is accompanied by weight loss. Vegetarian diet is not a contraindication to run a S3HM. Predictor variables associated with faster marathon time become evident only upon accomplishing certain training times and running distances. S3HM time correlated positively with 1-km time in runners with BMI = 19.06 and in athletes running = 344.5 km per month. S3HM time also correlated positively with the half-marathon best time, the sum of 1, 5-, and 10-km times, and BMI in subjects running > 9 h per week.
© Copyright 2021 Theory and Practice of Physical Culture. ANO SPC "Theory and Practice of Physical Culture and Sport". Alle Rechte vorbehalten.