Viren was 5'11". The Big Guys were Dixon,Waker and Clayton (6'1"-6'2"), and maybe Quax?
Viren was 5'11". The Big Guys were Dixon,Waker and Clayton (6'1"-6'2"), and maybe Quax?
The average height of elite runners is several inches shorter than the average height of people generally.
Height is a disadvantage for two main resons:
1)Extra skeletal weight
2)Surface area doesn't increase as fast as weight when you get taller, so it decreases the ability to dissipate heat.
I saw a chart on this once (maybe in Tim Noakes book Lore of Running). As you go up in distance, the average height of elites at that distance goes down. This, of course, doesn't mean there cannot be good tall runners - it is a fact of population distribution. If you are a good tall runner, you have other strengths/advantages that offset it.
I'm 6'1
I've read before that height to weight ratio is not proportionate. The power output of taller runners increases at an linear rate while the power output increases at an expoential rate. It's been several years since I've ready the study, but people who are taller and who have normal body types do not fare as well shorter runners with proportional height to weight ratios.
Enough about the ratios!!! I AM 6 FOOT 1 INCH! That's the ratio nigga!
Stu Eagon, Thank you and good night. 6'5. lol
Height is the male equivalent of breast size for women. The bigger the better until you get to a certain point where you are a sideshow freak. Either way, chicks dig tall guys for the most part just like men tend to dig chicks with larger breasts. There are exceptions to every rule of course.
running history wrote:
Lasse Viren must have been pretty tall and he kicked the stuffing out of who many would consider the best American runner ever.
Viren wasn't that tall, and I don't know anyone who would consider Pre the best American runner ever.
Alex Kipchirchir, #1 ranked miler of 06, is 6'2"
for longer distances, being short is pretty important.
I think being tall isn't as bad for the 200, 400, and 800.
200 & 800 are questionable, but it's safe to say most 400 guys are taller than average.
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