As someone who is 6'4" 155-160lb running 90 miles a week with a 12 second 100m but can't break 34 for 10K or 16:20 for 5K reading this heavy guy makes me think I'm either training horribly or I should just quit.
“If a big, muscular 23-year-old cross-country skier (190 cm, 100 kg) runs 10 km in 31:37, what would his time roughly be if he had the leaner build of a typical elite 10 km runner?” This is the classic “weight-adjusted running performance” question. --- 🧠 The basic idea Running performance is highly related to running economy and relative VO₂max (ml O₂ per kg per min). Carrying extra mass that isn’t directly producing propulsion costs extra energy. When a heavy but aerobically fit athlete loses weight (mostly non-functional mass) while maintaining fitness, running times can improve substantially. Studies (e.g., Daniels & Gilbert 1979) and calculators like RunSmart Project suggest roughly 1% time improvement for every 1% reduction in body weight if aerobic capacity per kg stays the same. --- 📊 Step-by-step estimation 1. Current performance: 10 km in 31:37 = 3:09/km pace. 2. Current mass: 100 kg. 3. Typical elite 10 k runner of 190 cm: around 72–75 kg. That’s about 25–28% less body mass. Using the rough 1% per 1% rule: 25% weight reduction → ~25% energy saving → but only ~12–13% faster time (because physics is not 1:1; various models use ~0.65–0.75 multiplier). So 31:37 × 0.88 ≈ 27:50–28:00. That would be an approximate equivalent if he were lean like a typical elite runner but kept the same aerobic engine. --- ✅ Rough equivalence table Weight (kg) % less than 100 kg Estimated 10 k time 100 (current) — 31:37 90 10% less ~30:00–30:10 80 20% less ~28:20–28:40 75 25% less ~27:40–28:00 --- ⚠️ Caveats This assumes the athlete’s absolute VO₂max stays constant while dropping weight. Some of the skier’s mass is muscle; losing it might also reduce power, so real-world gains might be smaller. Economy also depends on training history (stride mechanics, stiffness, shoes, etc.). --- 📝 In plain words A 23-year-old, 190 cm cross-country skier weighing 100 kg and running 10 k in 31:37 might run around 27:45–28:00 for 10 k if he had the leaner build typical of elite runners and kept his same aerobic engine.
At the end of the Eagles/Rams football game on Sunday, Jordan Davis blocked a field game attempt and returned it for a touchdown. He weighs about 330 pounds and was clocked at 18.59 mph. Until I did the math, I didn't realize how fast that really is. That pace is 12.03 seconds per 100 meters. That's a lot of speed for a man that large!
Thicker than the average runner of that ability? Yes? 220 pounds? I just don't see it. Maybe 190 something if he's 6 foot 4 as someone said. Good run regardless.
📝 In plain words A 23-year-old, 190 cm cross-country skier weighing 100 kg and running 10 k in 31:37 might run around 27:45–28:00 for 10 k if he had the leaner build typical of elite runners and kept his same aerobic engine.
This is ChatGPT, so it's obviously wrong, but let's take this seriously for a second. He's assumed to drop 25% of his weight with absolutely no loss of total aerobic capacity. He's already a fit skier, so this is a massive advantage. And still he's slower than elite runners. This output is equivalent to saying that you could strap 25kg to an elite and they'll still be faster than this (really quite impressive) performance. I don't believe it for a second, but if true it would really highlight how exceptional the best of the best are.
That is impressive for someone that size to run that fast. I can remember when some races used to have a "Clydesdale" category. I think you had to be over 180 pounds to be in that category. I imagine having a category like that now wouldn't be acceptable.
I know at least one race that still does this: the Great Race 10K in Pittsburgh, PA (which, incidentally, is this weekend):
The Great Race 10K is Pennsylvania?s largest 10K and one of the largest 10Ks in the country, passing through some of Pittsburgh's best-known neighborhoods.
As someone who is 6'4" 155-160lb running 90 miles a week with a 12 second 100m but can't break 34 for 10K or 16:20 for 5K reading this heavy guy makes me think I'm either training horribly or I should just quit.
It sounds like you're working hard, and that's impressive! Maybe adjusting your training plan, recovery, or nutrition could help you hit those 10K and 5K goals. Don’t give up sometimes a few tweaks can make all the difference.
Speaking of cross-country skiers who try running, Pål Golberg ran Oslo marathon on saturday. He finished in 2:28:12. The winner ran in 2:22:28, and the course record is 2:15:57. Oslo marathon isn't that big internationally, there's not a lot of the marathon superstars as a part of the field, and the course is really hilly, so it doesn't have the fastest of times.
Golberg has a total of 13 world cup victories in cross-country skiing. Olympic silver in relay. 4 World Championships golds (3 in relay, 1 individual) He won the gold in the 50km and silver in the sprint in the 2023 World Championships
You are all underestimating how big he really is. Even compared to other xc skiers, who typically have a sizeable core, arms and shoulders, he is massive. Weight does not scale linearly with height.
They definitely should introduce weight categories into running. You have weight categories in rowing so there is really zero reason not to have them in running.
Better yet... That guy should get in a boat. He is literally the prototype for an elite oarsman. To run that fast at that weight heProbably has a 6.5+ to 7 liter Liter VO2 max.
Or how about just continue skiing? Only hearing/learning about his running from this thread, but I follow skiing and am well aware of his name and performances. He's currently 3rd on the FIS points list in sprint (more quivalent to 800/1500 in running) and 17th in distance. Won a world cup sprint earlier this year too (with Klaebo not present).
Just one of your classic Nordic people with 8 inch wrists and 8-9 inch per each clavicle and a 7 foot wingspan. Coat hanger, washboard, he's got every laundry room amenity embodied in the flesh.
It's weird. It's also weird that we aren't all like like him. But Anger we mustn't feel. It's also weird that I used to be insecure and have panic attacks thinking about how I am a small man of 172cm and 6 inch wrists and a skosh over 7 inch ankles, but I did...
Edvin is not at all built like a juice monkey or CrossFit buff, he's slender and athletic
This post was edited 4 minutes after it was posted.