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Old 07-12-2020, 07:29 AM   #11
nudj
 
Join Date: Sep 2004
Default Re: Realistic stats for a marathon runner

Quote:
Originally Posted by AlexanderHowl View Post
The world record is around 2 hours for 26 miles, which roughly translates to 13 mph. With paced running, which is half the speed of sprinting, that would indicate a speed of 6.6 yards per second (a Basic Move of 11 would result in a sprinting speed of 13.2 yards per second, which would translate to a paced running speed of 6.6 yards per second). A specialized marathon runner could have a DX 10, HT 14, Basic Speed 8.00, and Basic Move 11, which would cost 95 CP. The character would need to make 120 HT rolls, so Running (A) HT+1 [4]-15 would be needed, allowing them to only lose 6 FP, with a final cost of 99 CP.

For less capable runners, you would probably want to reduce their Basic Speed, which would make them much less capable. A world class competitor, but not record holding runner would be Basic Move 10 [-20 CP] while a world class amateur would be Basic Move 9 [-40 CP]. For normal marathon runners though, they would probably get buy with Basic Move 7 and Running-16, as they would be able to run continuously. Endurance runners will often have HT 14, FP 18, Basic Move 7, and Very Fit, allowing them to run for 1200 minutes before having to rest (around 20 hours or 140 miles). Surprisingly, this is not the endurance record.
I don’t think setting paced running at half sprinting speed works in this case. 13.2 yards per second would set world record in the 100m in 2120. No human could do it and especially not an elite marathon runner. Such a runner would pace at more like 75% + of sprinting speed. Not sure how to represent that in GURPS.

Last edited by nudj; 07-12-2020 at 07:42 AM. Reason: Corrected error
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