Ideal height for a male runner?

Distance running is pretty wide for the range, anywhere from 5 foot flat to 6 foot flat is what most pros are in terms of height. I remember reading the average height and weight of the Olympic trials marathon runner for the US in 2000 was about 5'9. The average height for an American male is about 5'9. Height isn't a factor in speed unless you're talking about sprints, in middle distance up to marathons and beyond, the limiting factor is aerobic fitness. So instead of worrying about something you can't control, just put in the mileage and do your strides.

Bekele is 5’4

Geb is 5’3

A couple of inches taller than your date.

Distance running is about weight 50-60kg, so if you look at male’s they are the height of large women.

look at short distances, weight is not a penalty so about power, so we are looking 80-90kg, so height is tall men do better.

middle distance is average to small males, and inbetween at around 70kg

It is 6'2", or around 187-189 cm

6-2 or so - long stride.

Five foot four. Next question?

The average long distance runner is around 5'4 (Geb, Kip and some others) to 6'5 (Kiprop, Andrew wheating, Nico young and kejelcha.

Even if there would be a "perfect" height. What would that help you, if you don't have that number?

Only one of those guys is taller than ~6’2” (Wheating). A few guys in the 6’3”-6’6” range are Soufiane El Bakkali, Stefan Nillessen, and Elzan Bibic. Jack Bacheler—U.S. Olympian at 5k (1968) and marathon (1972)—was 6’7”.

7 inches but girth is looked upon favorably.

Most distance runners are average height (5'9-6'0 ) and their slender appearance makes them look a lot taller ( Kejelcha looks like 6'6 compared to these guys) what makes long distance runners ( 5k-Marathon) look tall is their long legs and short torso

I don't think height is a significant factor when it comes to performance. If you look at the world records, you'll find that pretty much everyone is within an inch or two of the average height for their country. For example, Geb and Bekele are 5'5. The average Ethiopian man is 5'6.

Kipchoge is 5'7, exactly the average height of a Kenyan man. Bernard Legat is 5'8. There are a few Kenyans (Paul Tergat at 6'0, most notably) who are significantly taller than average, but not enough to make it clear that height is a true advantage.

Height is an advantage is sprinting (limb length) but also in distance running ( El G has long limbs and a short torso)

For anything 400m up to a mile it doesn't really matter. Usually in the short sprints being tall, much over 6'1" makes it harder to start quickly. Bolt was a massive outlier.

For longer races it absolutely does matter. That's why you see so few elites over 6'. Extra height is extra weight which is extra energy to carry along the course. For males around 5'6 is probably the sweet spot plus or minus 3 inches. For women it seems to be closer to 5'3".

Actually, I looked into this recently about the 1500 men. I don't think people realise how tall middle distance runners are these days or maybe this is an unusual period. Most of the current top guys are between 6 foot and 6 foot 2. (From memory Jacob, Kerr, Nuguse, Kessler, Laros, Nordas, Cheryiot, Gourley, Wightman and there's more). Hocker seems an outlier at only 5 foot 10 but even that's taller than what people are mentioning on here

Obviously the longer in distance you go the heights tend to drop by quite a bit.