What is the difference between net time and gross time? Which is the official time?

What are net time and gross time anyway?

What is the difference between the two?

Which is the official record?

We'll help you solve these problems.

Many people would like to run a full marathon at least once in their lives.

At a large scale full marathon event, traffic regulations are enforced and the entire city has a festival-like atmosphere.

You can brag to your family and friends just by completing a full marathon.

Many people have vaguely heard of net time and gross time, but do not know the difference.

Some of you may have never heard of net time and gross time before.

It is good to know when you are concerned about your time in a marathon!

So in this article, I will thoroughly explain the difference between net time and gross time time.

First of all, when you finish running a marathon, you will receive a completion record result like this!

Here is one person's record from the Yokohama Marathon 2019 in Japan.

記録　4:19:27

　　　(ネットタイム3:59:26)

となっています。見えやすいように、にグロスタイムを表す記録を赤枠で囲い、ネットタイムを緑枠で囲いました。

このようにグロスタイムとネットタイムで20分以上の差が開くことがあります。2つも記録が書かれており、どちらが正しいのかと思う人もいると思います。

ここで、グロスタイムとネットタイムの違いを理解していないと、今後練習をする上で何を目標にすればいいか分かりません。

また、自己ベストは？と聞かれた時に困りますよね。

Record 4:19:27

　　　(Net time 3:59:26)

The record is shown in the following table. To make it easier to see, the gross time is circled in red and the net time is circled in green.

As you can see, there can be a difference of more than 20 minutes between the gross time and the net time, and since there are two records, some may wonder which is correct.

If you do not understand the difference between gross and net times, you will not know what to aim for in your future training.

Also, you are in trouble if you are asked "What is your personal best?".

Therefore, in this article, I will tell you which record will be your official record.

It will also explain which one you should use as a reference for your future running practice.

The details will be introduced later.

I will explain them in order.

What is Gross Time?

Gross time is the time between the sounding of the starting pistol, the running of the timer, and the finishing tape.

Some people may think, "Well, of course, it's the time until the pistol sounds, the timer starts, and the finish line is reached.

But imagine this. In a big marathon, there are so many runners that it is difficult to get to the start line.

This is right after the start of one marathon.

Despite the starting signal, the starting line is 1km ahead. Also, immediately after the start, there is no progress at all due to the pack.

In fact, let's say it took 20 minutes to reach the start line. If you then start and run the full marathon at a pace of 3 hours 59 minutes, your goal time will be 4 hours 19 minutes.

Gross time is the time (4 hours and 19 minutes) including the time to reach the start line. Therefore, it will be slower because it includes the time to get to the starting line.

Next, I will introduce the net time.

What is Net Time?

Net time is the time from the moment you cross the starting line to the moment you cross the finishing tape.

In other words, when the starting pistol sounds and the timer starts running, it will not count if you have not crossed the starting line.

Remember the previous example, in a big marathon, there are many runners and it is difficult to get to the start line.

この画像で約1km先にスタートラインがあります。スタートラインまでたどり着くまでに20分かかります。

スタートをし、フルマラソンを３時間５９分のペースで走った場合、ゴールする時に表示されているタイムは４時間１９分です。

この場合、ネットタイムでは３時間５９分となり、サブ４達成です。

順番に解説いたします。ネットタイムは自分がスタートラインを過ぎるまで、カウントされません。

そのため、初めの２０分はカウントされません。

スタートラインを超えて初めて、ネットタイムがカウントされるため、ネットタイムは３時間５９分となります。

続いて、両者の違いについてさらに解説いたします。

The starting line is about 1 km away in this image. It will take 20 minutes to reach the start line.

If you start and run the full marathon at a pace of 3 hours 59 minutes, the time displayed at the finish line is 4 hours 19 minutes.

In this case, the net time is 3 hours 59 minutes, which is a sub 4 accomplishment.

I will explain in turn. Net time is not counted until you cross the start line.

Therefore, the first 20 minutes are not counted.

Only after you cross the starting line is your net time counted, so your net time will be 3 hours and 59 minutes.

The difference between the two is further explained below.

Difference between Net Time and Gross Time

グロスタイムとは、、、、

スタートのピストルの音が鳴り、タイマーが動き出してから、フィニッシュテープをきるまでの時間のことです。

Gross time:
The time from the sound of the starting pistol and the start of the timer until the finishing tape.

Net time:
The time from when you cross the starting line to when you cross the finishing tape.

In other words, if it took you 0:20:01 to get to the start line and then you ran the full marathon at a pace of 3:59:26...

Record 4:19:27

　　　(Net time 3:59:26)

which is a 20 minute difference, but both are correct records.

Now you understand the difference perfectly. We also know that they are both correct.

Next, we will show you which is the official time.

Official Time is Gross Time

We would like to explain whether gross time or net time is used for official times.

As it turns out, the official time is determined by the gross time, and the rankings are determined by the net time.

This is because if rankings are determined by net time, it will not be possible to give accurate rankings until everyone has reached the finish line.

In addition, it is easy to get confused when a competitor is fast in the gross time but slow in the net time, for example, because it is necessary to swap the rankings.

For example, if the finishing tape is cut first, but the net time is tabulated and the result is second, it would be confusing to those watching and would not motivate the athletes themselves.

Rather, using gross times and ranking in the order in which they finish reduces mistakes and is easier to understand.

For this reason, gross times are used in the official competition standings. In other words, the gross time is recognized as the official time!

Self-best is net time

In conclusion, you may say that your personal best is a net time.

Runners cannot control the time loss until they reach the starting point.

Therefore, runners are free to state publicly their net time, which is the time after reaching the starting point.

There is one caveat, however. That is, there is a time to be declared when entering each marathon event.

When doing so, you should report the gross time, which is the official record. This is because the official record is the gross time.

In other words, you may use the net time, which is a shorter time, to show off to the people around you, but the official record is the gross time,

However, please keep in mind that the official record is the gross time.

The secret to getting a good record in net time

There is a way to get a slightly better time in net time.

That is to conserve your energy until you get to the starting line.

The net time is not measured until you cross the starting line.

Therefore, it is important to use as little physical energy as possible up to the starting line, and to keep your body slightly warm.

If you give it your all before the start line, and then get tired in the second half of the race, your net time will be slower.

To avoid this, it is important to conserve your energy as much as possible until the starting point.

Summary

This article included the following:

Understand the difference between each, and do your best to improve both your net and gross times.

Here is some information on pacing to achieve sub 4.

Pacing to complete a full marathon in sub 4 (4 hours).