Each year a few races attract a large number of elite runners. In this analysis, we have examined the races in which those who received votes for Runner of the Year competed. Giving the runners of the year 40 points, the runners-up 39 points, and so on, we have devised a system for determining which races had the most competitive fields. (Note that this analysis does not include foreign runners who are not eligible for runner of the year.)
Men
| Rank | Race | Number of Runners | Points |
| 1 | Lake Sonoma 50 Mile, Healdsburg,CA | 11 | 298 |
| 2 | The North Face 50 Mile, Sausalito, CA | 12 | 296 |
| 3 | Western States 100 Mile, Olympic Valley, CA | 10 | 283 |
| 4 | Speedgoat 50K, Snowbird, UT | 4 | 100 |
| 5 | The North Face 50 Mile, Bear Mountain, NY | 3 | 96 |
| 6 | Run Rabbit Run 100 Mile, Steamboat Springs, CO | 3 | 92 |
| 7 | Ice Age Trail 50 Mile, LaGrange, WI | 3 | 89 |
| 8 | Run the Rut 50K, Big Sky, MT | 3 | 85 |
| 9 | Way Too Cool 50K, Cool, CA | 4 | 84 |
| 9 | Bandera 100K, Bandera, TX | 3 | 84 |
Women
| Rank | Race | Number of Runners | Points |
| 1 | Western States 100 Mile, Olympic Valley, CA | 9 | 273 |
| 2 | Lake Sonoma 50 Mile, Healdsburg, CA | 7 | 187 |
| 3 | Rocky Raccoon 100 Mile, Huntsville, TX | 3 | 95 |
| 4 | Run Rabbit Run 100 Mile, Steamboat Springs, CO | 3 | 83 |
| 5 | Moab Red Hot 55K, Moab, UT | 3 | 79 |
| 6 | The North Face 50 Mile, Sausalito, CA | 2 | 75 |
| 7 | Ice Age Trail 50 Mile, LaGrange, WI | 2 | 69 |
| 8 | Chuckanut 50K, Bellingham, WA | 2 | 67 |
| 9 | Land Between the Lakes 50 Mile, Grand Rivers, KY | 2 | 66 |
| 9 | Sean O’Brien 50 Mile, Malibu, CA | 3 | 66 |