Criteria for Runner of the Month
To be considered for the Runner of the Month award, a club member must improve upon a personal best (PB) time in their current age category during the qualifying month. A first-time performance recorded for a specific distance within a new age category will also be recognised as an improvement for award consideration.
Recognised Races and Validity
Performances must be achieved in officially sanctioned races. For road running, the recognised distances are the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) standard distances: 10 km, 15 km, Half Marathon, Marathon, and Ultra Marathon. For cross country and trail running, all Athletics South Africa (ASA) approved races are eligible. Only races formally recognised by a national or provincial athletics body, where results are made publicly available, will be considered valid for PB recognition.
Member Responsibility
It is the responsibility of the club member to inform the club committee of any personal best achieved during the month to ensure it is considered for the Runner of the Month award.
Performance Comparison
When comparing performances for the award, different methods are used depending on the athletes being evaluated. Athletes competing in the same age and sex category will be compared using the IAAF scoring tables. For comparisons between athletes of different ages or sexes, times will be age-graded using the World Masters Athletics (WMA) scoring system.
The WMA Age Grading System
The WMA scoring system provides a method to compare runners of different ages and sexes on a level playing field. It utilises tables of age factors and age standards derived from extensive analysis of actual performance data. As the only scoring system currently recognised internationally and incorporated into electronic timing equipment worldwide, the WMA system is considered a valid and reliable indicator of a runner's performance potential relative to their age.
Calculating and Using the Age-Graded Score
The WMA system works by taking a runner's time and multiplying it by a factor specific to their age and sex, as determined by the WMA tables. This calculation yields an 'age-graded time'. This age-graded time is then expressed as a percentage of the world record time for that particular event. This final percentage score allows for meaningful comparisons of performances between club members, regardless of their age, sex, or even the specific race distance run (e.g., comparing a 10 km performance against a marathon performance). A higher age-graded percentage score indicates a stronger performance relative to age and distance.
Online Calculators
Members interested in calculating their own age-graded performance can find numerous online calculators available. However, it is important to verify that the calculator uses the most recent version of the WMA tables to ensure accuracy.
Committee Discretion
In months where no club member achieves a personal best that meets the criteria, the club committee reserves the right to award the Runner of the Month title based on other criteria, which may extend beyond race performance alone.