The Runner's Body (2024)

We come in all shapes and sizes, but run long enough and the sport shapes us. Running molds the human form in ways both beautiful and grotesque. From powerful glutes to black toenails, bulging calves to skinny biceps—the miles mark us as one of the tribe. This is the runner’s body. A photo essay by Reed Young.

Published: Feb 3, 2015

A Runner's Body

Rae Baymiller

Age: 71
Years Running: 21
Average Weekly Mileage: 30
Mile PR: 5:20
10K PR: 37:12
Half Marathon PR: 1:18
Marathon PR: 2:52
Favorite Distance: Marathon
Favorite Workout: Hills
Strength: Endurance

A Runner's Skinny Legs

Rich Nelson

Age: 44
Years Running: 6
Average Weekly Mileage: 40
Mile PR: 4:54
5K PR: 17:10
10K PR: 35:25
Half Marathon PR: 1:18:23
Marathon PR: 2:47:16
Favorite Distance: Marathon
Favorite Workout: 12 x 400m at 5K race pace with 200m recovery
Strength: Endless energy

A Runner's Arms

The athletes featured belong to Central Park Track Club. Founded in 1972, the club serves more than 400 competitive runners of all ages.

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A Runner's Back

Rolanda Bell

Age: 26
Years Running: 18
Average Weekly Mileage: 65
Mile PR: 4:43
5K PR: 16:24.75
10K PR: 36:27
Half Marathon PR: 1:20:48
Favorite Distance: 3,000m steeplechase
Favorite Workout: Steeplechase hurdle intervals
Strength: Athleticism

A Runner's Quads and Legs

Julius Mutekanga

Age: 26
Years Running: 8
Average Weekly Mileage: 35
400m PR: 46
800m PR: 1:46
Favorite Distance: 500m
Favorite Workout: 200m, 600m, 400m, 200m
Strength: Speed

A Runner's Jump

Harrison Hunter

Age: 20
Years Running: 7
Average Weekly Mileage: 50
400m PR: 48.1
800m PR: 1:51.64
Favorite Distance: 800m
Favorite Workout: 4 x 200m at 95 percent effort with 3 minutes rest
Strength: Kick

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A Runner's Abs

Francyna Evins

Age: 23
Years Running: 11
Average Weekly Mileage: 5
55m PR: 7.15
60m PR: 7.61
400m PR: 55.68
Favorite Distance: Sprints
Favorite Workout: Core workouts
Strength: Force application

A Runner's Back Side

Bill Wells

Age: 30
Years Running: 16
Average Weekly Mileage: 70
800m PR: 1:58
Mile PR: 4:24
5K PR: 16:07
10K PR: 34:51
Half Marathon PR: 1:21
Marathon PR: 3:11
Favorite Distance: 800m
Favorite Workout: 3 x 500m at 800m race pace
Strength: Competitiveness

Meggie Sullivan

Age: 26
Years Running: 18
Average Weekly Mileage: 45-50
Mile PR: 4:48
5K PR: 18:30
Favorite Distance: 1500m and 1K
Favorite Workout: 12 x 300m
Strength: A durable, healthy attitude

A Runner's Flex

Sue Pearsall

Age: 48
Years Running: 18
Average Weekly Mileage: 50
Mile PR: 5:48
5K PR: 20:00
10K PR: 36:27
Half Marathon PR: 1:32
Marathon PR: 3:32
Favorite Distance: 1500m on the track; cross country (any distance)
Favorite Workout: 3 x 600m at mile pace/30 sec rest/200m fast
Strength: Tenacity

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A Runner's Legs

The athletes featured belong to Central Park Track Club. Founded in 1972, the club serves more than 400 competitive runners of all ages.

A Runner's Torso

Alan Ruben

Age: 57
Years Running: 28
Average Weekly Mileage: 55
Mile PR: 4:34
5K PR: 15:39
10K PR: 32:54
Half Marathon PR: 1:11:27
Marathon PR: 2:29:54
Favorite Distance: Half marathon
Favorite Workout: Progressive tempo
Strength: Endurance

A Runner's Calves

Shawnessy Dusseau

Age: 32
Years Running: 18
Average Weekly Mileage: 50-60
Mile PR: 6:20
5K PR: 20:49
10K PR: 44:34
Half Marathon PR: 1:35:51
Marathon PR: 3:31:44
Favorite Distance: Half marathon
Favorite Workout: Track intervals
Strength: Speed and hills

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A Runner's Feet

Ivette Ramirez

Age: 24
Years Running: 12
Average Weekly Mileage: 45-50
Mile PR: 4:52
5K PR: 17:25
10K PR: 37:42
Favorite Distance: 5K
Favorite Workout: Hills and track repeats
Strength: Speed