The rankings on the Running Times web site will be updated monthly. In addition, each month Running Times print edition gives short descriptions of events that produced changes in the rankings, as well as extensive reports of significant road races around the world. Young uses a points exchange system which rewards points for winning and takes away points for losing, dropping out, or being out of contention over a period of time.
Runners gain in position only by beating other ranked runners.
Breaking down race results into all possible two-way matches, Young adjusts each runner s point level and rank. Although we are ranking only road racers, many athletes run in a variety of events, and since our goal is to determine fitness based on all performances, these events are included. Similarly, a road racer can gain points by beating a highly ranked track athlete, even if that athlete does not appear on our list. This ranking does not accumulate or give extra weight for placing well in significant road races, like our annual Road Racer of the Year rankings in our January issue. Runners will gain and lose points based on their recent performances in relation to other athletes, and the list may change rapidly throughout the year.