Ok ... Its on big boy ... I have never lost a weight division marathon

running 15 sub 3:00s weighing 205# - 235# PR - 2:45 (205#)

Since you are in CO - Maybe we can settle it at Leadville 100M run next year ???

Hi Sporti

I care about women - But I will let their opinion rule the Athena part of the discussion

For me 200# is Clydesdale - Tall or short - Its not about body fat - Its about the energy and engine it takes to propell that amount of weight a certain speed.

MTP

Sorry 1st part - I was having fun with you ... challenging you to a clydesdale marathon ... since we both seem to do well in them.  More being goofy than really challenging you - Although the info about myself is accurate.

Part #2 was answering the origianal question posted - In which we are in agreement - By weight not bodyfat,  Cara (Chicago) has a clydesdale category @ 170 - That's a Joke.  I feel 200# is minimum for Clydesdale.

Sorry if I irritated you - Just having fun!

When I first heard of a Clydsdale category, I was thinking about competing in Mtn. Bike races.  The term was not meant for overweight people but for larger / heavier riders.  That was more than a decade ago and today I'm more than 60lbs over weight.  I started running in May when my local weight watchers group hosted a 5k run.  At the time, I was closer to 85 lbs over weight.  I have since run two 5k races and a 10k race on our local ski hill.  I was glad not to be last in the 10k.  If there were a Clydsdale category, I'd probably join it at least until I'm down to around 200 lbs.

I'm not offended by the name but rather more embarrassed by the photos of me running.  I am often surprised that someone with that much fat could actually run 6 miles.

Yes

Leadville is much less technical trail running than many of the 100M races

Its elevation change is nothing special

But the elevation that the race takes place at 10,000-14,000 feet is the real challenge.

I have run shorter trail races (50 milers) with lots of elevation change (> 10,000 feet)

I have also run timed races where I have went further (147 miles / 154 miles) in 24 hours

But this will be my 1st 100M trail race - I signed up yesterday.  I have my pacer lined up.  I have the worlds best crew - My Wife. (Note usually family makes a bad crew - But she does not mind seeing me suffer)

It's gonna be fun!

PS - I think you are assuming that because an athelete is a Clydesdale that he/she can not be competitive - I am running Leadville for fun, not as a goal race.  The only way I will not finish well under any cut-off is if I get hit hard by altitute sickness, or if I get injured for the race.  I typically run 5,000-6,000 miles per year, so the 100M distance is not really an issue.

I am not sure what your friends situation is, but skinny does not = high level of aerobic fitness.  Skinny also does not = fast.

I totally agree with you about a 2nd wt category for Athena - call us ladies over 200#: Amazons!! LOL

According to the BMI formula, for my height, at 140# I would still be in the "Normal" range, not even overweight.  It just tells you what the societal standards for an acceptable female weight.

I've never heard of this!  They definitely don't have those categories in my area. I'm a female, 5'11" and 225# and can honestly say if I were in the 140-159 weight range I would be a STICK!  I do know that as I lose weight my times are getting faster.  And I wouldn't mind being in the heavier weight category. I know I'm heavy. Accepted that a long time ago.  But I want to be fit no matter what the scale says.

Being that i'm 338 lbs would I be considered a Super Clydesdale?

USACFRF - USA Clydesdale Philly Racing has 3 categories for men 190-210, 211-225 and 226+

The highlight of the year is the Big Man race (MA) and they do give the mythical Pachyderm award for the heaviest competitor each year the heaviest was 366#

Any way you slide categories it will leave people at the top end not even close to the botton end of that weight category.  You want to capture the 90%+ in fairness.

Another of my favorite races has the Big Bock = 200-219 and Dopplebock 220+

If only one weight is used I would consider the standard 200 for men and 160 for women.

We each have our sweet spot ~ for me all my PRs were set 200-205#