The purpose of this study was to clarify the relationship between running distance over an 8-month period and both 5000 m running performance and aerobic capacity (VO2max, VO2VT, running economy). The 8-month study period was divided into two segments of 4 months each. It was found that long-distance athletes could run 5000 m in about 15 min 30 s. The analysis also confirmed the following: (1) athletes that ran longer distances in the 8-month period had better 5000m times; (2) they had higher VO2VT; and (3) athletes whose distances were longer in the first half of the study period had better VO2VT and 5000m records in the second half of the period. The anaerobic threshold reached a higher level in runners with greater training distance, resulting in an improvement in race results. Furthermore, based on the fact that the distance run in the first four months effects on VO2VT and 5000 m running times in the latter four months, this study demonstrates the possibility of training effects occurring after a certain latency period. The results implicated that it was important to track running distances as an indicator of race performance.
