How to read race results
A results sheet packs a lot into one line per runner. Once you know what each column means, you can see how your race went and how you compared with people of your own age and sex.
An example results table
The table below is a made-up extract from an imaginary 10K. The runners and clubs are placeholders, not real people or organisations, and the layout is typical of what UK races publish.
| Pos | Bib | Name | Club | Cat | Cat pos | Gender pos | Gun time | Chip time | 5K split |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 12 | Runner A | Example Harriers | SM | 1 | 1 | 32:10 | 32:09 | 16:01 |
| 2 | 45 | Runner B | Sample AC | MV40 | 1 | 2 | 33:42 | 33:41 | 16:40 |
| 3 | 7 | Runner C | Unattached | SW | 1 | 1 | 35:05 | 35:04 | 17:20 |
| 148 | 301 | Runner D | Example Harriers | FV45 | 3 | 21 | 46:30 | 46:12 | 22:50 |
| 412 | 588 | Runner E | Unattached | SM | 96 | 287 | 55:48 | 52:15 | 25:40 |
What each column means
Position
Your overall finishing place among everyone in the race. At the front it follows the order runners crossed the line. Further down, some races sort by chip time instead, so check the note at the top of the results.
Bib
Your race number. It is the key that links the timing tag to your entry, and it is the quickest way to search for yourself or to report a problem to the organiser.
Name
The name given on the entry form. If a number was passed on without telling the organiser, the name shown will be the original entrant's, which is one reason unofficial swaps cause trouble.
Club
The running club you are a member of, if any. "Unattached" or a blank means no club was declared. Club names are used to work out team prizes, so they need to be entered consistently.
Category
Your age and sex group, shown as a short code. In the example, SM is senior man, SW is senior woman, MV40 is a man aged 40 to 44 and FV45 is a woman aged 45 to 49. Codes vary between events, and our guide to running age categories lists the common ones.
Category position
Your place within your own category. Runner D finished 148th overall but third in her age group, which tells her far more about her run than the overall figure does.
Gender position
Your place among all men or all women, whatever their age. Runner C was third across the line overall and the first woman, so her gender position is 1.
Gun time
The time from the official start signal to the moment you crossed the finish line. It is used to decide prize positions at the front.
Chip time
The time from when you crossed the start line to when you crossed the finish line, also called net time. Runner E spent more than three minutes reaching the start, so the chip time of 52:15 is the true measure of the run. The difference is explained fully in chip time vs gun time.
Splits
Times recorded at points along the course, here at 5K. Splits are normally cumulative, measured from your own start. Doubling Runner A's split of 16:01 gives 32:02, so the second half, at 16:08, was only slightly slower. Comparing halves like this shows whether you paced evenly or faded. A pace chart helps turn splits into pace per kilometre or mile. For how splits are captured, see how chip timing works.
Other columns you may see
- Pace. Average minutes per kilometre or mile, worked out from your chip time.
- Age grade. A percentage that compares your time with the best standard for your age and sex.
- PB or SB. A flag for a personal best or season's best, where the system knows your history.
- Team. A club or workplace team name where there is a team competition.
DNF, DNS and DQ
Some entrants appear with letters in place of a time.
- DNS, did not start. The person entered but never crossed the start line. Many races leave these out of the published list altogether.
- DNF, did not finish. The runner started but did not reach the finish, usually through injury, illness or missing a cut-off time. Split times recorded before they stopped may still be shown.
- DQ or DSQ, disqualified. The runner finished but the result was removed for breaking the rules, for example cutting the course, running with another person's number or accepting help that is not allowed.
None of these counts as a result for ranking purposes.
Provisional and final results
Results published on the day are provisional. Over the following days the organiser may correct missing times, names, clubs and categories, so positions can shift slightly. If something on your line is wrong, contact the organiser with your bib number while the event is still fresh. If you are looking for a result from years ago, see how to find old race results.