Skip to main content

Can a human overtake a horse in a long-distance race? Here’s the theory.

The Man Vs. Horse Marathon has continued since the 1980's — Have there been any winners?

white and brown horses running together outside fast
Kubrarkan / Pexels

Horses can sprint fast with their powerful leg muscles. Picture a wild horse galloping through an open field with the wind in their mane. You might wonder, can a human overtake a horse? The answer is yes. A paleoanthropologist has a theory to explain the evolutionary adaptations that allow humans to build endurance and run long distances without stopping. 

Man Vs. Horse Marathon

man horse riding horse running fast
Mathias Reding Man / Unsplash

The race began following a debate over a few pints in a British pub in 1980. The first person to overtake a horse on foot and win the race was Welsh marathoner Huw Lobb, who took the title in 2004. The course is a little shorter than a traditional marathon at 22 miles over rougher terrain, and Huw Lobb completed the race in 2 hours, 5 minutes, and 19 seconds, leaving the riders on horseback behind him. He won the prize fund of £25,000. Three years later, German participant Florian Holginger crossed the finish line 11 minutes before the first horse. John Parkinson from the UK was just one minute behind him. Those who had bet on the horses were surprised and less enthused by these human victories.

Recommended Videos

More recently, Nicole Teeny won a 50-mile ultramarathon race against horses. After her epilepsy diagnosis, she became determined to race a horse. Her incredible success is detailed in ESPN’s ‘Girl V. Horse’ podcast series. 

The theory

man running outside grey clouds on road
Jenny Hill / Unsplash

Harvard paleoanthropologist Daniel Lieberman and biologist Dennis Bramble joined forces and proposed that certain evolutionary adaptations allow humans to run long distances and even outrun horses. These adaptations include long legs, short toes, big, strong Achilles tendons, upright posture, and specific muscle fibers that are more advantageous for sustained running. Humans can cool down through sweating, whereas horses are more likely to overheat and slow down or stop. Humans also have cardiovascular systems that can efficiently deliver oxygen to the muscles and larger gluteus maximus muscles to ensure stability on two legs, unlike chimps for example with much smaller glutes.

Daniel Lieberman proposed that we developed these traits in part because our hominid ancestors would hunt and chase prey until the animal became too fatigued. Others aren’t so sure and believe it’s more likely humans developed to walk longer distances rather than running. They point out some of the potential risks and problems associated with ultramarathon and marathon running. 

Humans are built for long-distance running

man running on mountain outside
Alessio Soggetti / Unsplash

Research reveals the many benefits of running. Humans dissipate heat through sweating and have spring-like tendons and long legs that help us in sustained runs. Running causes your brain to release endocannabinoids and opioids, which are feel-good chemicals that contribute to the runner’s ‘high.’ This could be one of the factors that motivated our hominid ancestors to push on to secure food. Endurance training over time allows you to increase the maximum rate at which your body can use oxygen. You’ll also grow the number of mitochondria, which are the powerhouses of your cells.

While a human can’t outrun a horse in a short sprint, those with impressive stamina and athletic prowess can outlast horses in long-distance races.

Topics
Steph Green
Steph Green is a content writer specializing in healthcare, wellness, and nutrition. With over ten years of experience, she…
Does a 10-week break from training hurt muscle gains long term? Research is in
What happens when you take a break from your workout?
Fit strong man doing biceps curl with barbell in gym

Some people think taking a break from training could hinder muscle growth, especially if you take a break for several weeks. This new study yields interesting results that might help you relax a little more if you’re one of those people. Whether you’re sunning yourself on a beach somewhere, lounging at home, or just too busy with the daily hustle and bustle and the unexpected, it turns out that taking a break from training might not be so bad after all. Let’s look at the results of this new study.
The study methods

In this study published in the Scandinavian Journal of Medicine & Science in Sports, the researchers assessed whether taking a break from workouts during a weight training program affected the following:

Read more
Landmine exercises are increasingly popular — here are the benefits
Engage your muscles from various positions and angles using landmine equipment
Man and people in gym doing standing one-arm landmine press exercise with barbell landmine attachment

Landmine exercises allow you to reduce the compressive load on your spine compared to regular standing barbell workouts. You can target your muscles from different angles and positions using landmine equipment. This form of weight training is becoming increasingly popular due to its many benefits. Once you’ve mastered the same old moves, switching up your workout routine and trying other exercises is a good idea. Here’s why you should consider adding landmine exercises to your training schedule.
What is a landmine exercise?

You perform landmine exercises using landmine equipment, which refers to a barbell anchored to a unit on the floor on one end with a weight attached to the other end. Sometimes, the barbell is attached to a rack to keep it secure. You can pivot the barbell to work your muscles from various angles. Most gyms now have special landmine attachments that you can slide one end of the bar into to use as your anchor point. 

Read more
Here’s why top athletes include isometric exercises in their workout routine
Isometric exercise allows you to use your own body weight to lower your blood pressure
Man doing hanging hold or dead hang exercises

Performing isometric exercises like planks and wall sits amplifies your strength and helps reduce your blood pressure, along with other benefits. Isometric exercises are becoming increasingly popular for those looking to develop muscle strength and mass. Unlike cycling, running, and other forms of exercise, isometric training levels up your fitness without movement. Read on for the definition and benefits of isometric training and the top exercises worth adding to your workout plan.
What is isometric training?

Isometric training involves a simple, focused tightening or contraction of a specific muscle or group of muscles, which generates force without you needing to move your joints. This powerful muscle contraction really enables you to target particular muscles. The main difference between other exercises like squats and isometric exercises like wall sits is that the joints involved in the exercise don’t move, and there isn’t any noticeable change in the length of the targeted muscles. 

Read more