Data Points for Top Runners At WTM 2016

When I was listening to World’s Toughest Mudder Podcast 2016 Part III, Matt B. Davis, mentioned wanting to see something like the graphs shown below. Basically, the graphs are looking for a comparison of the runners and how the lead changed with the top athletes over time. However, once I dug into the data, I could see other conclusions and observations. Below are my observations and conclusions.

To really understand the graph, you have to study each curve one at a time to make your own conclusions. If you see something I didn’t or want some clarification, please post a comment.

WTM 2016 Males Who Held a Top 5 Spot

Ryan Woods started to fade at lap 8. He quit trying hard at lap 10 but hung around till the end completing another lap.
Jake Hegge started to fade at lap 6 and really slowed at lap 8 but hung around for the full 24 hours.
Junyong Pak was going really strong until he was medically pulled at lap 13.
Nickademus Hollon clearly started fading at lap 12. At lap 14 he really slowed down. He stopped at lap 15.
Wesley Kerr was fairly steady. I don’t see any big changes in his pace. He was not able to pickup the pace at the end like Matthew Hansen and Timothy Oliver.
Matthew Hansen was steady and picked up the pace a little at the end.
Timothy Oliver was steady and picked up the pace more than Matthew Hansen did to take 4th place.
Kris Mendoza couldn’t stay with Austin Azar and Trever Cichosz after lap 12. He was very steady though.
Austin Azar picked up the pace after lap 12. He started hunting the guys in front of him. However, he couldn’t hold it after lap 19.
Trevor Cichosz was just consistent and fast. Trevor allowed Austin to pass him and clearly stayed with him till Austin couldn’t hold the pace anymore.

WTM 2016 Females Who Held a Top 5 Spot

Jade Belzberg went out really fast, including winning the Green bib, then stopped after Lap 6.
Allison Tai picked up the pace at lap 10. Allison started struggling at lap 12; She didn’t recover for the rest of the race. Side note, I was there when here knee pain started and she could not maintain her pace any longer.
Kristy McBride was steady.
April Harwig was steady till lap 15 and then faded fast.
Morgan McKay was steady until lap 12 where she had some trouble but then recovered.
Susanne Kraus was just steady and able to pickup the pace at the end to take 2nd.
Stephanie Bishop slowed down at lap 13 but her lead was so big that it didn’t matter that she slowed down.

About
Latest Posts

Jason Nicholson

I have been doing OCR on and off for about 4 years. I enjoy World's Toughest Mudder because of the people I meet, the character I get to build preparing for the monster that is WTM, and the challenge of finding my limits in WTM. With respect to data analysis, I have a strong background in engineering and math.