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Elite marathoners run very fast.....

Jim Hansen posted this on his blog (which is always worth reading)  earlier and I thought I'd put it up as well.  It is really stunning just how fast an Olympic level marathoner runs.

Jim says:

This is in a subway station in New York City. People are trying to keep up with Ryan Hall for 60 feet. This is his pace for a full marathon. Even Ryan had a hard time keeping up in street clothes. I think it is a neat way to make people aware of how fast the elites do run.

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Comments

Payam said…
Obviously if you are starting from standstill you aren't going to keep up with someone starting at 12.4mph..
November 13, 2011 at 7:43 PM
Anonymous said…
The eventual winner of the New York Marathon ran miles 22 and 23 in 9 minutes flat.
November 13, 2011 at 7:48 PM
Steven Sashen said…
I train with some of the top marathoners in the world (I've been on the track with Ryan twice). That these guys keep up a sub-5 minute pace for 2 hours is impressive.

On the other hand, if you want to see something crazy, stand next to an equally world-class sprinter when they're at top speed.

I'm 49 and my top speed is 23mph... not bad... but I was in Berlin for Usain Bolt's world record. To see someone run by you at almost 30mph (I was at the 70m mark, 3 rows off the track), practically short-circuits your brain. You can't believe what you're seeing.
November 13, 2011 at 10:15 PM
Aileen said…
I'm only too well aware I can't even sprint as fast as these guys run for the whole distance.
November 14, 2011 at 12:17 AM
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