The 2008 Olympic women's marathon winner, Constantina Tomescu, broke the tape at 2:26:44. Dara Torres-esque, Tomescu is a 38-year-old mother of a teenage son. But will her time be beaten in the Olympic men's marathon scheduled for August 24? Yes -- considering the U.S. Men's Olympic Trials marathon winner, Ryan Hall, crossed the finish in a record 2:09:02.

As a young girl I recall hearing women's higher body-fat ratios might mean they'd surpass men in long-distance races someday. Ever trying to beat my brothers at everything, I quietly cheered inside. Perhaps the resented curse of more fat was good for something other than growing babies. Yet TIME magazine shares while the gap between the world's best women and men marathoners has narrowed over time, recent findings reveal when both genders roughly match for weight -- which is the case for the world's best marathoners -- guys still run 10 percent faster. Not fair!

One exercise and sports science expert speculates the differentiating factor is testosterone. Genetically, men's muscles are more powerful, a critical factor in the running motion. Check out the gallery to witness Romania's pride in action.