Gå ubegrenset med Magzter GOLD
Få ubegrenset tilgang til over 9000 magasiner, aviser og premiumhistorier for bare
Prøve GULL - Gratis
The Animal Kingdom's Top Marathoners
Runner's World SA
|September/October 2025
Humans aren't the only natural-born endurance runners out there. Here's a look at the animal kingdom's finest long-distance athletes.
AS ROCK STAR AND EVOLUTIONARY ANTHROPOLOGIST Bruce Springsteen famously remarked, “Baby, we were born to run.” And The Boss is right: compared with other land mammals, humans are indeed remarkably good at running long distances. Our upright posture, Achilles tendons and ability to shed heat – through sweating – make us extremely well adapted to endurance running.
But that’s not to say we outrank every animal in the marathon stakes. Here’s a look at five of the best marathoners in the animal kingdom, from slowest to fastest.
1 / HORSEMax speed: 87km/h
Average speed for 30+ kilometres: 17km/h
Estimated marathon time: 2.5hr
Denne historien er fra September/October 2025-utgaven av Runner's World SA.
Abonner på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av kuraterte premiumhistorier og over 9000 magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
FLERE HISTORIER FRA Runner's World SA
Runner's World SA
Omega Drive
A new study* provided a \"critical examination\" of how omega-3 fatty acids affect \"exercise performance recovery and brain health.
1 min
November/December 2025
Runner's World SA
THE GIFT GUIDE
WHETHER IT'S A PRESENT ‘TO ME, FROM ME’, OR YOU’RE BUYING FOR THE RUNNER IN YOUR LIFE, HERE’S RW’S SELECTION OF THE BEST RUNNING GIFTS THIS SEASON.
7 mins
November/December 2025
Runner's World SA
INSPIRATION GENERATION
The RMB Ultra-Trail Cape Town ambassadors do more than just run. They inspire others to challenge themselves in the tough world of ultra distance trail running.
9 mins
November/December 2025
Runner's World SA
BUCKET-LIST PARADISE
Running in a tropical paradise should be on everyone's 'to do' list. RW digital editor Kim Woolrich ticked that box at the spectacular Seychelles Nature Trail.
3 mins
November/December 2025
Runner's World SA
ON YOUR MARK
Long before the first event of the RMB UTCT begins, there's a team of runners laying down the route markers to make sure you find your way. Meet two of the best: Jaco Janse van Rensburg and Jan Ham, who handle the logistics behind one of the most important aspects of race-day safety.
3 mins
November/December 2025
Runner's World SA
WE RUN
Support You Feel. Performance You Love.
2 mins
November/December 2025
Runner's World SA
SHE HAS NO COACH, NO TRAINING PLAN, AND SEEMINGLY NO LIMITS
INSIDE THE SWEET-CHOMPING, PAIN-FUELLED, INFECTIOUSLY OPTIMISTIC WORLD OF COURTNEY DAUWALTER
17 mins
November/December 2025
Runner's World SA
Big Weekend
If you cram all your training into the weekend, can you still expect to get faster?
1 min
November/December 2025
Runner's World SA
Follow A New Path
Why summer is the perfect time to try trail running.
2 mins
November/December 2025
Runner's World SA
A Friend In Need Had Better Be Damned Grateful
I recently support-crewed a runner for a 320km race.
2 mins
November/December 2025
Listen
Translate
Change font size