A mathematical model for scoring athletic performances

Abstract

We present an application of our recently proposed scoring method to running performances. To this end we use the performances corresponding to the elite level, as given by the World Athletics scoring tables, in order to calibrate the high-end (max-score) of our scoring formula. For the lower end (null-score) we start from the prescription put forward by one of the authors (G.P.), stated epigrammatically as ``walking is not running'' and obtain an estimate of the corresponding performances. The result is a set of parameters, calculated once and for all, which allow, given the distance and the registered time, to obtain the scoring for the performance for distances ranging from sprints to ultramarathons (for both sexes and adjusted for the age of the runner).