The culmination of months of training for thousands of athletes in a major world marathon held in October 2013 produced a wealth of information, from elite winning times to age group rankings and individual participant data. This data provides a snapshot of athletic achievement and allows for analysis of performance trends.
Access to this information offers value to various stakeholders. Competitors can review their performance, compare themselves to others, and track their progress over time. Coaches can use the data to refine training programs and identify areas for improvement. Researchers can study the data to understand factors influencing performance in endurance events. Furthermore, the historical record of the event contributes to the overall narrative of the sport, documenting achievements and marking progress year over year.