Ideal height for a miler

Guessing we're just waiting for the right athlete to come around

Might be easier to be competitive and short generally speaking (5'9 etc), but when the right athlete comes around 6'2-6'5 is probably ideal, but harder to find the right balance of power/weight

For a while people thought sprints were better for shorter people too

But for sure the longer the race the smaller the winner. I just don't think the mile is that long of a race

The correct answer is that the ideal height is a broad range. My guess is that the range is roughly between 5'-2" and 6'-6", where there is equal potential for excellence. I know that sounds crazy, but look at a guy like Miruts Yifter. There's no reason someone built similar to him couldn't conceivably be the world's best. Same with someone built similar to Andrew Wheating. I really don't see how one of these builds has an advantage over the other, and therefore, why any height in between would.

Shorter is better because of this:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Square-cube_law

However, as you've seen, fast runners have a variety of heights, but be assured the anatomical and physiological parts that you cannot see are very similar.

You want someone short-ish but with almost freakishly long, slender legs.

I think 5'10/5'11

Just wow... wrote:

5'-2" and 6'-6",.

That's just crazy. I would say 5'3" to 6'5"!!

Your arms only need to be long enough to grab the drugs from your "doctor."

I agree with 5'2" to 6'6"

Same for any distance, really.

Look at three most recent Americans to run 3:30.

Wheating, Manzano and Centro

A shorter guy can lift more weight but he's doing less work per lift. If a 5'6" guy and 6'4" guy both bench 150 lbs the 6'4" guy is doing more work i.e. force times distance. Thus I am not convinced the short guy has more power/weight ratio, he just lifts more because he has to lift less distance. Otherwise you would never see tall world-class sprinters.

Kiprop vs guerrouj wrote:

The way I see it height gives the advantage of a long stride...

Height has nothing to do with stride length unless both feet are on the ground at the same time. Stride length has to do with leg muscle strength vs body weight. Easier to have a high strength to weight ratio if you weigh less which usually means you are shorter.

Qkjfm wrote:

Height has nothing to do with stride length unless both feet are on the ground at the same time. Stride length has to do with leg muscle strength vs body weight. Easier to have a high strength to weight ratio if you weigh less which usually means you are shorter.

That's goofy...look at Bolt's stride length as he chews up more real estate than his competition. If he were to train for distance and lose some weight, he would rule the 1500/mile. Most of the taller guys historically have competed in the hurdles, high jump, etc. If these cats trained for and competed in distance events...look out short munchkins.😄

Thunder Thighs wrote:

Qkjfm wrote:

Height has nothing to do with stride length unless both feet are on the ground at the same time. Stride length has to do with leg muscle strength vs body weight. Easier to have a high strength to weight ratio if you weigh less which usually means you are shorter.

That's goofy...look at Bolt's stride length as he chews up more real estate than his competition. If he were to train for distance and lose some weight, he would rule the 1500/mile. Most of the taller guys historically have competed in the hurdles, high jump, etc. If these cats trained for and competed in distance events...look out short munchkins.😄

Height is only one factor and a smaller pool of people. Without other positive attributes long limb length easily is as problematic as it is beneficial. Then take in to consideration that the pool of 6'5 is smaller it is not surprising tall athletes do rule middle distance, though one could just tike Bolt is having his day in sprints, but giants won't take over sprints.

Just wow... wrote:

The correct answer is that the ideal height is a broad range.

This is correct. I wouldn't even put numbers to it.

If there really was an ideal, you'd see a different and narrower distribution of heights in the best runners than the general population, like basketball players, but you don't.

Qkjfm wrote:

That's goofy...look at Bolt's stride length as he chews up more real estate than his competition. If he were to train for distance and lose some weight, he would rule the 1500/mile.

Typical letsrun logic...

Oops, that was thunder thighs that wrote that!

What?! wrote:

Qkjfm wrote:

That's goofy...look at Bolt's stride length as he chews up more real estate than his competition. If he were to train for distance and lose some weight, he would rule the 1500/mile.

Typical letsrun logic...

No...typical lets have some fun on letsrun 😄.