When you want to get somewhere fast, you run — using your 2 legs. Well, as silly as it is, there’s a whole set of people who like to run on all fours, like a dog, cheetah or squirrel. A guy named Katsumi Tamakoshi holds the world record for running the 100-meter dash on his hands and feet. He did it in 15.86 seconds, beating record holder Kenichi Ito. Top athletes run the 100 meter on 2 legs in under 10 seconds, but clearly these guys aren’t in a hurry to get somewhere.
Lace up: Hold up your hands. Now sit and hold up your feet. How many do you have of each?
Jog: If you can run across the room in 8 seconds but crawl across in 11 seconds, which way takes longer?
Sprint: If you can run across the room in 8 seconds and crawl across it in 11 seconds, how long would it take to run across and then crawl back?
Hurdle: If Kenichi races against 6 other people, how many total arms and legs do the runners have?
High Jump: If Katsumi runs the 100-meter dash in about 16 seconds, how fast could he run 1000 meters at the same pace?
Answers:
Lace up: 2 hands, 2 feet.
Jog: Crawling is slower!
Sprint: 19 seconds.
Hurdle: 28 limbs (14 arms, 14 legs) for the 7 runners in total.
High Jump: 160 seconds, since it’s 10 times as far.
