1. What is USATF Age Grading?

USATF Age Grading is a method of comparing running performances across different ages and genders. It allows athletes to compare their performances with others and with their own performances at different ages.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the USATF Age Grade formula:

Where:

• \( standard \) — World record time for the distance
• \( performance \) — Your actual time
• \( factor \) — Age adjustment factor

Explanation: The equation accounts for age-related performance differences, allowing fair comparison between athletes of different ages.

3. Importance of Age Grading

Details: Age grading helps athletes track their performance relative to world standards and their own age group, providing motivation and context for training.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter standard world record time, your performance time, and the age factor from USATF tables. All values must be positive numbers.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Where can I find standard times and age factors?
A: USATF publishes official age-grading tables on their website for various distances.

Q2: What is a good age grade percentage?
A: 90%+ is world class, 80%+ is national class, 70%+ is regional class, 60%+ is local class.

Q3: Does age grading work for all distances?
A: Yes, USATF provides age-grading factors for track events from 100m to 10,000m and road races up to marathon.

Q4: How often are the standards updated?
A: The standards are typically reviewed every 5-10 years to reflect changes in world records.

Q5: Can I compare age grades between distances?
A: While possible, it's best to compare within the same distance as different events age differently.