Conclusions

In summary, using a clearly defined points system for scoring athletes who were serial winners, we have described those whom we have identified as the GOAT runners both overall and separately by sex, distance, and type of running event. Using this approach, Bolt and Kipyegon were determined to be the men’s and women’s GOAT, respectively. Although no manner of performing such a ranking task can be perfect or completely objective, we believe that both the GOATs chosen and the way they were chosen will stimulate interest in those working in the field to develop more robust methods or validate our findings. The model created can be used in future years when athletes achieve successes that break current WRs or overtake the breadth and standard of success of the current GOAT runners identified. Each of these athletes are remarkable for their achievements, and further work is needed to better understand how they perform at a competitive standard that stands out even amongst their elite peers at the pinnacle of their sport.