Can you explain age grading and age graded times? Age grading is a way to compare the performance of runners of all ages and both genders with one another on a level playing field. When your time is “age-graded” it is calculated as a percentage of the “ideal” time for your age and gender at that distance. This allows races to give awards to the runners with the best performance for their age. It is also frequently used in team scoring so that awards can be given to the teams whose runners turned in the best performances.
A great explanation with examples can be found here:
https://www.runraceresults.com/AgeGrade.htm
Follow the link below to calculate your own age-graded time.
http://www.howardgrubb.co.uk/athletics/wmalookup15.html
Here is a link with more technical details:
Here is the history of this method and practice of 20 + years in World Track & Field. Cycling is just getting started…
I have an asterisk after my time in the results that stands for "Under USATF Age Group Guideline." What does that mean?
The USATF creates guidelines for notable performances for males and females at all age group levels. An explanation can be seen on their website here:
https://legacy.usatf.org/groups/RoadRunning/awardandrankingstandards.asp