The points scoring system may lead to debate, however it is one way of setting standards for Time-to-Run 's 'hall of fame'. By doing this we take away the element of personal favourites. In order to be nominated for the 'Hall of Fame' the athlete will need to score a minimum of 100 points as well as win at 2 different city venues to be considered for the 'Hall of Fame'.

If your favourite does not make the 'hall of fame' they may make the 'greats of the distance' rankings.

Now, who was the greatest athlete of the marathon distance never to have won a major championship medal and when did the 'world record' count as a world record ? Do we take into account that Alberto Salazar's 'record' was achieved on a short course and therefore Rob De Castella should have been awarded the record ?

Well, for purposes purely related to this section we are going to award both Salazar and De Castella the points for the world record. And yes, we shall call it a world record and not a world best. We shall also take the world record for women as the fastest time ever run by a women at the distance. For women points for the marathon record will only be scored from 1980 onwards, points will be given for breaking the 2Hr 30min barrier though, which was achieved in 1979.

More emphasis will be placed on winning an Olympic medal as the event is every 4 years and not every 2 years in the case of the World Championship. Who was the male athlete to almost win 3 Olympic marathons ?

Who is the athlete to have suffered asthma, and then went on to become a dominant figure in the marathon ?

View the point scoring system below and do feel free to give your opinion.

View the athletes assessed : The Rankings