All of the great Kenyan and Ethiopian distance runners are about 5' 3" to 5' 8". Is their height height even have a factor ?
All of the great Kenyan and Ethiopian distance runners are about 5' 3" to 5' 8". Is their height height even have a factor ?
biomechanics. The legs are usually neither too long nor too short. Tend to carry less fat free mass as well.
Lastly, statistics made it the ideal but it's not hard-coded as the ideal...We simply say it's the height range where most elite runners have fallen into.
There is no scientific proof that a certain height will make you a better runner by default than someone whose height falls outside of the "ideal" range. Height is but one other variable in addition to V02 max of course, which is somewhat height dependent since a taller person will likely have more fat free body mass.
Well duh, it's easier for shorter people to maintain the optimum cadence of 180.
Like 6'3" Asbel Kiprop and David Rudisha?
Or Paul Tergat who was 6'0".
Is that what you mean when you say "all"?
Under 6' 3" used to be the ideal sprinting height until Bolt came along. Just wait until a tall and coordinated beast with the aerobic capacity runs a sub 2 marathon.
Star wrote:
Like 6'3" Asbel Kiprop and David Rudisha?
Or Paul Tergat who was 6'0".
Is that what you mean when you say "all"?
Ohhh you mean the exceptions to the rule?
It's not. Next question
HardLoper wrote:
It's not. Next question
Good to know
I think IT IS but by default.
I think it's moreso the amount of weight that a person carries and the power that they generate at low weights.
For the taller runners that are competitive, they tend to be amazingly lean. Kiprop / Tergat are sticks even compared to guys like Bekele.
I think the leg to trunk length ratio would be more important than height. You can be 5'8 but built like a wrestler with short stubby legs and a long torso. You're not going to be much of a runner.
Lims run wrote:
HardLoper wrote:It's not. Next question
Good to know
I think taller people tend to focus on other sports
because 110-140lbs is the ideal running weight.
Watched big 10s wrote:
I think IT IS but by default.
That statement doesn't even make sense. 5'5-5'10 is not the ideal running height. There are way too many counterexamples to disprove this.
hermes link ice blue mink wrote:
because 110-140lbs is the ideal running weight.
False
HardLoper wrote:
Watched big 10s wrote:I think IT IS but by default.
That statement doesn't even make sense. 5'5-5'10 is not the ideal running height. There are way too many counterexamples to disprove this.
Of course it doesn't. You can't be 6 heights all at once.
Lims run wrote:
All of the great Kenyan and Ethiopian distance runners are about 5' 3" to 5' 8". Is their height height even have a factor ?
Because most Kenyans and Ethiopians are that height. I'd bet the average American distance runner is about the same height as the average American, maybe a bit shorter.
Height is not that important for distance running, but light is good, especially as distances get longer, and shorter can mean lighter. The average of the top 100 male marathoners in the world is 5'7", 120 lbs.
Boogieman wrote:
Lims run wrote:Good to know
I think taller people tend to focus on other sports
Yep. Self selection. Short athletic people have no other option. Tall athletic people can make more money in other sports.
This should be a weight question not a height question. Lighter is better. Shorter is not always better.
It is because all of the brilliant posters here have given quite convincing arguments that "the taller - the better".
Clearly someone who is 70" tall should be able to run approximately 17% faster than someone 60" tall. And someone 80" tall should be 33% faster than the 60" person.
Of course there is no limit to this so eventually every single world record will be held by someone over 8 feet tall! It's just a matter of time.
Evan Jager seems to be doing just fine in the most Kenyan dominated event.
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