Differences in pacing behaviour between global championship medal performances and world records in men’s and women’s middle- and long-distance running track events

The differences in pacing demands between track distance-running championship and meet (e.g., World Record [WR]) races have not been specified yet in the current literature. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine pacing behaviour differences between WRs and global championship (i.e., World Championships and Olympic Games) medal performances (GCMs) in middle- and long-distance running events. Percentages of mean race section speeds were compared through analysis of variance between men’s and women’s 169 WRs and 189 GCMs over 800m, 1500m, 3000m steeplechase, 5000m and 10,000m. U-shaped and negative pacing approaches are observed during men’s and women’s 1500m WRs and GCMs, respectively. The first and third 400 m of men’s and women’s 1500m GCMs were relatively slower and faster, respectively (p ≤ 0.05, 1.31 ≤ d ≤ 1.69). Even profiles are followed during women’s 3000m steeplechase WRs and GCMs, whereas positive approaches were adopted in men’s GCMs. Finally, whereas 5000m and 10,000m GCMs were finished with a fast endspurt, WRs had a U-shaped profile in men, with differences between the initial and last race stages (p ≤ 0.01, 1.20 ≤ d ≤ 3.66), and an even profile in women. Coaches should consider the different pacing demands existing among meet and global championship races to specifically implement training characteristics targeting either goal type.