The ITRA Performance Index (PI) is a tool for evaluating trail runners. It’s based on a runner’s speed during a race and gives a good idea of the runner’s performance.
ITRAThe International Trail Running Association (ITRA) represents all parties involved in trail running (i.e., runners and race organizers). More is the International Trail Running AssociationThe International Trail Running Association (ITRA) represents all parties involved in trail running (i.e., runners and race organizers). More.
ITRA’s PI allows you to rank athletes based on their individual scores. For example, here you can find the top 5 trail runners (men and women) in the world.
Thus, the PI can be used to compare the level of individual trail runners around the world. By applying different filters (e.g. country, continent, gender, age group, …) selections can be created here. To use the filters, you need to be an ITRAThe International Trail Running Association (ITRA) represents all parties involved in trail running (i.e., runners and race organizers). More member.
The performance index is based on a scale up to a maximum of 1000 points. The top of the scale corresponds to the theoretical best possible performance. The PI is managed and calculated by ITRA.
Calculation
The PI is calculated by obtaining the weighted mean of up to the 5 best race results of a runner over the previous 36 months. A weighted mean is used to give more importance to the most recent results and the better results of a runner. The least good result of these 5 races has the least influence.
A 36-month period is used because it’s long enough to allow reliable statistical calculations and to ensure that an injured runner continues to appear in the performance index based on previous race results.
A runner’s race results are aged. As a result ages, the value of its score decreases progressively. In the first 12 months after a race, a result receives its full value in the PI calculation. After the first 12 months, the value of the result is decreased every 6 months until it’s not used at all after 36 months.
The score is calculated based on the runner’s finish time (not finish position) and the specific characteristics of the race (mainly distance, elevation gain and loss, average altitude).
Runners who don’t have 5 results still have a PI, which is calculated based on their available results. Once a runner has completed the first race, he or she’ll appear in the performance index.
Two PI Categories
ITRA distinguishes between two categories of the PI.
- A general PI regardless of race distance and
- a distance category PI for races of a certain ITRA distance categoryITRA distance categories are based on typical and popular distances of trail races. They range from 2 km More, which ranks runners within this distance category.
The method of calculation and aging is the same for both PI categories.
To receive a score for a distance category, you must complete at least one race in that distance categoryITRA distance categories are based on typical and popular distances of trail races. They range from 2 km More.
Important: When we refer to races in this context, we’re referring to trail running events that are registered with ITRAThe International Trail Running Association (ITRA) represents all parties involved in trail running (i.e., runners and race organizers). More. The organizer must be an ITRAThe International Trail Running Association (ITRA) represents all parties involved in trail running (i.e., runners and race organizers). More member in order to register a race. Events that aren’t registered with ITRAThe International Trail Running Association (ITRA) represents all parties involved in trail running (i.e., runners and race organizers). More won’t affect your PI score.
Reference: ITRA.RUN (click here) – retrieved Sep 2021, English version.