Minnesota Running Data Center Runners of the Year

2023 Races reports:

2021-2023 Runner Standards by Sex, Age, and Distance
- Older Standards by year: 2006-2018 | 2019
2023 Races Submitted and future
- [1M | 5k | 8k | 10k | 12k | 15k | 10M | 20k | Half | 25k | 30k | 20M | Marathon]
- Also Event list compiled below with submission status.
2023 Standings by sex and age division
- Standings are sorted alphabetically by last name until runners have at least 2 qualifying distances:
- All Gender [Open | 35-39 | 40-44 | 45-49 | 50-54 | 55-59 | 60-64 | 65-69 | 70-74 | 75-79 | 80-84 | 85-89 | 90+]
- Women [Open | 35-39 | 40-44 | 45-49 | 50-54 | 55-59 | 60-64 | 65-69 | 70-74 | 75-79 | 80-84 | 85-89 | 90+]
2023 Qualifying performances for all distances:
- All Gender [Open | 35-39 | 40-44 | 45-49 | 50-54 | 55-59 | 60-64 | 65-69 | 70-74 | 75-79 | 80-84 | 85-89 | 90+]
- Women [Open | 35-39 | 40-44 | 45-49 | 50-54 | 55-59 | 60-64 | 65-69 | 70-74 | 75-79 | 80-84 | 85-89 | 90+]
2023 Season best by sex and age division
- All Gender [Open | 35-39 | 40-44 | 45-49 | 50-54 | 55-59 | 60-64 | 65-69 | 70-74 | 75-79 | 80-84 | 85-89 | 90+]
- Women [Open | 35-39 | 40-44 | 45-49 | 50-54 | 55-59 | 60-64 | 65-69 | 70-74 | 75-79 | 80-84 | 85-89 | 90+]
2023 Scatter plots (pace vs age) for all race results by distance:
- All [1M | 5k | 8k | 10k | 12k | 15k | 10M | 20k | Half | 25k | 30k | 20M | Marathon]
- All Gender [1M | 5k | 8k | 10k | 12k | 15k | 10M | 20k | Half | 25k | 30k | 20M | Marathon]
- Women [1M | 5k | 8k | 10k | 12k | 15k | 10M | 20k | Half | 25k | 30k | 20M | Marathon]
Facebook Group for updates.
2022 results are here
- All 2022 winners and runners up
2021 results are here
- All 2021 winners and runners up

What is Minnesota Runner of the Year?

USATF Minnesota recognizes Minnesota Runners of the Year for the best runners by gender and age divisions each year.

Records were compiled 1986-2005 by Jack Moran, 2006-2019 by Mike Setter, canceled during 2020 pandemic, and restarted 2021 by Tom Ruen.
How does it work?
1. Men and Women runners compete as open and within 5 year age groups for runners 35 and older.
  - Only runners with a Minnesota address are evaluated, whether permanent or temporary residence. Race result information determine residency.
  - Up to 5 distances can score total points per runner. If more than 5 distances are run, the lowest distance scores are ignored.
  - Open runners assign points for the top-20 performances by distance.
  - Age divisions assign points for the top-10 performances by distance.
  - If there are fewer qualifying performances for a distance and division, the highest points will be reduced to that number.
  - A single runner with 2 or more qualifying times at a distance scores, the hiher points will be earned while lower point(s) are ignored.
  - If there is a tie in the score, both runners will be recognized as Co-Runners of the Year.
2. Division transitions
  - Runners who have a birthday that crosses a 5 year division will have their events scored at two different divisions. The age you are on race-day determines your division.
  - Runners may choose to strategize to get in more events before or after a birthday depending on where they hope to be more competitive.
3. Early results
  - (Unofficial) early race results may be added if I have reason to believe they will be submitted, but these must be considered provisional and may be removed later.
What are the standards?
- Time standards define the slowest time by sex, age division and distance to qualify.
  - The 2021 standards are based loosely on 2015 Age grading for the youngest age within a division. The percentages go down gradually with age to allow for fewer participants.
  - The least common distances have somewhat easier age-graded standards.
  - For 2021 Net or Chip times (if available) are used for finishing order and qualifiers.
    - NOTE: Starting behind the start line shouldn't be used as a strategy against rivals, but seen for safety reasons for older runners so they don't need to line up near the very front.
Which distances?
1. Top time performances are give points for up to 12 distances:
  - 1-mile, 5k, (8k=5-mile), 10k, 12k, [15k, 10-mile], 20k, half marathon, 25k, [30k, 20-mile], and marathon.
  - The 1-mile distance was added in 2008.
  - 8k and 5-mile races are scored together. This means a slight time-disadvantage for 5-mile courses.
  - Two pairs of distances (15k/10M) and (30k/20M) are scored separately BUT if a runner does both distances, only the higher will score.
How to help?
- Runners: Submit consistent spelling for your name AND city on all race applications during a year. This will make it easier to to identify you as a single individual between difference events and distances.
- Runners: Ask race directors if their course is certified and if so, request submission if it wasn't submitted in past years!
- Race directors: Include a statement about course certification to help runners know, and give the course number you plan to use.
- Errors happen. Tell me by email, tomruen@gmail.com, if something is missing or wrong and I'll help look into it!
  - A most common error is wearing the wrong bib, like if a 50-something father accidentally swaps his bib with a speedy 20-something son, results may appear to be a qualifier that is inaccurate and will be removed once identified.
  - Courses may be mis-marked and run somewhat short, which may invalidate the entire race, unless a very small adjustment time factor is determined to make it fair for MNROY scoring. (Accidental long courses will NOT be adjusted.)
Which races?
1. Only Road races (road and hard surface trails) can be scored.
2. Courses must be certified. For active Minnesota Certified Courses see: www.run-minnesota.org/mnroy/mncourses.htm
3. Race Directors must be willing to submit a form verifying course and event quality information and email results.
  - See: Letter to race directors | Submission form
4. Past year submissions can help you identify which races will likely be submitted, as well as which races have the most qualifiers
  - See: 2021 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014... for past races submitted.
5. Races submitted are used to recognize new Single Age Minnesota State Records for Minnesota and non-Minnesota runners.
  - Search at https://www.run-minnesota.org/mnroy/mnrecords.htm here, and http://raceberryjam.com/mncurrentrecords.php tracked by Jack Moran.
  - State Record have 4 categories: Minnesota runners versus out-state runners are recognized if faster. Unaided courses versus aided courses if faster. Aided courses have their start and finish more than 30% apart, or may be net downhill more than 1 meter per km.
  - Results submitted will be republished by Jack Moran, listing new records: https://www.raceberryjam.com/mainrr.html#roadresults with past years (1988-2020) archived http://raceberryjam.com/roadarchives.html
6. Places to search for upcoming races. (Listed events don't gurantee courses will be certified nor that results will be submitted.)
  1. https://www.raceberryjam.com/mdraschedule.php Jack Moran's Raceberry Jam.
  2. https://www.run-minnesota.org/events/ Run-Minnesota
  3. https://minnesota.usatf.org/about/usatf-minnesota-team-circuit USATF-Minneasota Team Circuit events road courses are certified and will have the best competition.
  4. Event organizers and timers
    - https://www.tcmevents.org/events Twin Cities in Motion events
    - https://grandmasmarathon.com/our-races Grandma's marathon events
    - https://www.minnesotarunningseries.com MN Run Series
    - http://www.andersonraces.com/events Anderson Races
    - https://www.gsetiming.com/calendar/calendar.asp GSE Timing
  5. National calendars for Minnesota
    - https://www.runningintheusa.com/classic/list/mn/upcoming
    - https://runsignup.com/Races/MN
    - https://www.roadracerunner.com/races/runningcalendar/?state=mn
    - https://www.rrca.org/find-events/ Road Runners Club of America
Changes 2022:
1. Runners with a qualifying time at a given distance will always earn at least 1 point. (This is designed to motivate all runners to try to meet the qualifying time.)
2. The top time will always get at least half-top points for a given distance (and 10 for marathon), even if fewer runners have qualifiers. If 3 open runners qualify at a distance, their points will be scored as 10,9,8, while 3 age grouper would get 5,4,3 points. (This makes less run distances more valuable immediately.)
3. To accommodate new nonbinary gender in race results, the Minnesota male runner-of-the-year has been expanded to"All gender" competition. Runners of any gender, who make the all-gender qualifiers are eligible to score points and win the All-Gender Runner of the Year divisions.
  - Transgender women are encouraged to register in races as nonbinary where available. They are not eligible for woman of the year scoring, or single year state records.

Historical Archives by Mike Setter: (Archived from mnroy.com)

Site Map | Men | Women | All | Explanation of Scoring

Winners 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019

Races 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019

Qualifiers 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019

Winners	2006	2007	2008	2009	2010	2011	2012	2013	2014	2015	2016	2017	2018	2019
Races	2006	2007	2008	2009	2010	2011	2012	2013	2014	2015	2016	2017	2018	2019
Qualifiers	2006	2007	2008	2009	2010	2011	2012	2013	2014	2015	2016	2017	2018	2019

Past MNROY races by year

1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998
1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005
2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020

Raceberry archives by Jack Moran

Standards 1994-2000, 2001-2005

1998-2005 MNROY winners


Male Winners	1986	1987	1988	1989	1990	1991	1992	1993	1994	1995	1996	1997	1998	1999	2000	2001	2002	2003	2004	2005
Female Winners	1986	1987	1988	1989	1990	1991	1992	1993	1994	1995	1996	1997	1998	1999	2000	2001	2002	2003	2004	2005

Raceberry race archives by year

1988 1989
1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999
2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009
2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019
2020 2021

**2023 Letter to Race Directors**
Minnesota has a long history of recording long-distance running results, including state age records. We need your help to continue that tradition. Your efforts not only validate extraordinary performances of the competitors, but also reflect upon the success of your event. PRERACE You may share races for 2023 you plan to submit: For each event: [Date, Time, Location, Race Name and URL, Distance, Certification] Only certified races will be accepted. See how to certify from USATF-Minnesota. [Search for existing courses here] Review submission form: [MN_LDR_FORM.pdf] Or online form [http://raceberryjam.com/mnldrform.html] RACEDAY Please remember to have at least two independent timers in place at the Finish and record the winner's time with both. Fill out the documentation form POSTRACE Email the documentation form. Email results in a CSV (comma-delimited) file (or other text file) Results need to contain (at a minimum) *last name, first name, age, gender, city, state, gun time*, and chip time if available. Bib numbers are also valuable. Contact tomruen@gmail.com, 763-432-3122 Tom Ruen 4859 East Upland Crest Columbia Heights, MN 55421-2028

Events/timing/results:

https://www.mtecresults.com/ Mtec was founded in 1998, under the name ChampionChip Minnesota. In 2010, ChampionChip Minnesota's name was changed to Mtec to encompass the greater variety of services that the company offers.
https://www.gsetiming.com/ - Gopher State Event Timing
http://wayzataresults.com/
https://chronotrack.com/ ChronoTrack merged with BazuSports in 2012, and then acquired Athlinks in 2013.
www.fastfinishresults.com
https://runsignup.com/
https://raceday.enmotive.com
http://www.andersonraces.com/
http://raceberryjam.com/
https://www.getingearevents.com/
https://northland.run/
https://www.tcmevents.org/
https://www.race-wizard.com/race-results/
https://www.j3timing.com/race-results.html
http://www.duluthtimingandevents.com/results

Minnesota Running Data Center Runners of the Year

2023 Races reports:

2022 results are here

All 2022 winners and runners up

2021 results are here

All 2021 winners and runners up

What is Minnesota Runner of the Year?

Historical Archives by Mike Setter: (Archived from mnroy.com)

Past MNROY races by year

Raceberry archives by Jack Moran

1998-2005 MNROY winners

Raceberry race archives by year