Now for the women. As with the men, East African women populate the top ranks of the year-end distance running lists. However, in the marathon, the Kenyan women were not nearly as dominant as their men.
Ethiopian women have consistently outdone their southern neighbors over the last eight years, notching 77 (35%) of the 220 sub-2:30 women’s performances in 2017, compared with 72 (32.7%) for Kenyan women.
But while only 14 nations produced a sub-2:10 men’s performance in 2017, 82.75% from Kenya and Ethiopia (actually a somewhat down year from more traditional 90%) 20 nations were on the sub-2:30 women’s list last year, with Japan at 16 (7.27%), and America 12 (5.45%).
The differences between men and women world-wide speak to the gaps in societal acceptance for, and/or promotion of women’s sporting opportunities.
2017
Sub 2:30s – 220
Nations – 20
Ethiopian – 77 (35%)
Kenyan – 72 (32.7%)
Japanese – 16 (7.27%)
American – 12 (5.45%)
European – 11
TOP time – 2:17:01, Mary Keitany, London
2016
Sub 2:30 – 176
Nations – 18
Ethiopian – 69 (39.2%)
Kenyan – 49 (27.8%)
Japanese – 15 (8.5%)
American – 8 (4.5%)
European – 10
Bahrain – 6
PRK – 5
TOP time – 2:19:47, Tirfi Tsegaye, Dubai
2015
Sub 2:30 – 201
Nations – 30
Ethiopian – 81 (41.3%)
Kenyan – 44 (22.4%)
Japanese – 17 (8.6%)
American – 4 (1.9%)
European – 20
Russia – 4
TOP time – 2:19:25, Gladys Cherono, Berlin
2014
Sub 2:30 – 124
Nations – 23
Ethiopian – 39 (31.4%)
Kenyan – 26 (21%)
Japanese – 11 (8.8%)
American – 4 (3.2%)
European – 14
Russia – 4
TOP time – 2:20:18, Tirfi Tsegaye, Berlin
2013
Sub 2:30 – 122
Nations – 27
Ethiopian – 44 (36%)
Kenyan – 32 (26.2%)
Japanese – 11 (9%)
American – 4 (3.2%)
European – 16
TOP time – 2:19:57, Rita Jeptoo, Chicago
2012
Sub 2:30 – 202
Nations – 28
Ethiopian – 69 (34.1%)
Kenyan – 33 (16.3%)
Japanese – 22 (10.9%)
American – 9 (4.4%)
European – 31
China – 13 (6.4%)
Russia – 5 (2.4%)
TOP time – 2:19:19, Mary Keitany, London
2011
Sub 2:30 – 187
Nations – 21
Ethiopian – 61 (32.6%)
Kenyan – 30 (16%)
Japanese – 21 (11.2%)
American – 4 (2.1%)
European – 27
China – 10 (5.3%)
Russia – 7 (3.7%)
TOP time – 2:19:19, Mary Keitany, London
2010
Sub 2:30 – 131
Nations – 19
Ethiopian – 56 (42.7%)
Kenyan – 18 (13.7%)
Japanese – 14 (19.6%)
American – 4 (3%)
European – 14
China – 8 (6.1%)
Russia – 7 (5.3%)
TOP time – 2:22:04, Atsede Baysa, Paris
I look forward to reader analysis
END
WANDERING IN A RUNNING WORLD 
You missed a runner
Lanni Marchant is a record-holding Canadian long distance runner. On October 20, 2013, Marchant set the Canadian women’s marathon record at the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon, running it in exactly 2:28:00.
Duff,
I only broke down the nations with several sub 2:30s. I noted that runners from 27 nations were represented on that list in 2013, and Lanni was included in that larger number.
Toni
My, oh my – Ethiopian heroines!!! As consistently impressive as they have been, I confidently predict, the best is yet to come…
Thanks for all the men’s and women’s stats, Toni. A nice way to start the new year. So, what do the stats say? Well, we can interpret them any way we choose and following a quick look …… The peaks of performance for the men and women in 2012 may reflect the height of the ‘doping skew’, or …….?? Being very skeptical, you could view the resurgence of the women in 2017 as wider use of doping for women, or not being skeptical, the result of natural development of women’s performances with opportunity and over time. It would be interesting to see the number of countries involved if, say sub-2:27 was the women’s criterium and that might be more comparable to the men’s sub-2:10.
Note: 2:10 for Men is 1162 points on the IAAF Scoring Tables
2:30 for Women is 1133 points on the IAAF Scoring Table
2:27:05 for Women is 1162 points on the IAAF Scoring Tables
Much food for further thought and reflection
Wishing a Happy New Year, Toni, to you and Toya
Peter,
When I regain my eyesight from scanning those lists, I’ll see what a sub 2:27 list looks like. Generally, it would scrub a number of countries from the list. Best to you in 2018, as well.
Toni
Peter,
Women 2017
Sub 2:27 – 94
Nations. – 8
Ethiopian – 43 (45.7%)
Kenyan – 34 (36.1%)
Japanese – 6 (6.3%)
American – 5 (5.3%)
Bahrain – 3
Mexico – 1
Australia – 1
Portugal – 1
More later. Does squeeze it down a bit.
TR
Thanks, Toni. Same top time, performer, and location for both 2011 and 2012?
Is Rita Jeptoo’s 2013 Chicago time still accepted after testing positive for PEDs?