Average male running speed km/h

Stephen Vrska, a marathon and ultra runner from Chesterton, Indiana, first discovered the joy of running back in the 6th grade.

“My middle school didn't offer football until the following year, so I opted to do running because my older brother ran," he says.

Michael Fredericson, MD, director of the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation division of Stanford University, says seeing American runner Frank Shorter win a gold medal in the 1972 Olympic marathon is what made him fall in love with the sport.

"His historic win got a whole generation of Americans excited about running," he says.

No matter when someone starts or what inspires them to buy their first trainers, running is a sport as old as time – and it comes with a host of health benefits.

When was running invented?

What is a fast running speed mph

The first recorded running event was held way back in 76 BC in Olympia, Greece. It was a stadium footrace – a sprint that marked the beginning of track running games for sport.

Need a break?Play the USA TODAY Daily Crossword Puzzle.

The

how fast is fast

how fast is fast enough