Why is it that middle distance and XC runners can sprint fast? Best answer on the web

Posted in: darrelrussell.com edit
08 Jan 2009
  • I know like a tonne of guys at my school who do XC and 800-3000 races. But all of them can run sub 12 100 metres. I know for a fact that all they do is longer runs eg 1-5km runs. How is it that this makes them fast.


  • Elite middle distance runners can run fast, because the 800 is a dash, not quite a sprint but very fast. The world class 800 runners run each lap in about 52 seconds.
    Running distances does not make you a fast sprinter in fact it will cause you to lose sprint speed unless you continue to work on your sprint speed.
    The good middle distance runner has the muscular percentages to be able to run fast for a long distance, that is not normal in most people.
    I doubt there are a ton of guys who can run very good middle distance and distance races and still run under 12 seconds for the 100 meters even though under 12 is not a very good time, it is fast for distance runners.
    So a successful middle distance and distance runner is someone who although not a sprinter can run fairly fast and have the ability to run at a high percentage of maximum speed for a long time.


  • What? I don't really get the question..
    but i get the gist i guess, so to answer you,
    umm, well I'm in cross country and I can sprint
    pretty fast...it's just because you get in shape
    I guess? uh..ya....hahaa.


  • well, u run for a long time and slower, when u get to sprint u want to go FAST, belive me. It also strenghts ur leg muscles running SLOWER. So, those muscles help them run faster. <3


  • well they do longer runs near at like 80 % of their sprint speed sometimes and well its easier for them to run 100 meter sprints because they are use to doing long runs that a simple 100 meter sprint is easy for them


  • XC runners run for a long distance and get tired but still keep going and then they have to sprint to the finish
    also we do sprints 2 days a week in practice


  • Because SPEED IS STRENGTH...not quickness