ELI5, Why can seemingly every animal run faster and for longer than humans?

Question

ELI5, Why can seemingly every animal run faster and for longer than humans?

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Answer 1

If you’re looking at averages, then you’re right.

Most land animal species that can run, when averaged out their speed or distance, will outrun a human beings on average. That is because there are a lot of humans who don’t run.

Almost all land animals that are born with the ability to run, will exercise that ability daily.

Now, when talking about the longest distance running animal species on an individual level, the top human runner will outrun any other animal species on the planet. Our physiology allows that, but only a small number of people will exercise that ability.

So to answer your question. Because the majority of human beings don’t run, on average, human beings are slower and have less stamina than most other land animals who run daily.

But when looking at the individual species, select few human beings will outrun any animal species in distance.