Cat running the marathon

[ATB_roo]

Would my normal domestic cat be able to beat my mother running a marathon, bearing in mind that my mother will complete the marathon in 3hrs 45 mins?

[wiggal]

One of my cats is the fastest thing i think ive ever seen! She could beat anyone or anything, especially at chase the laser game!
But her son, who is 9 months, is the slowest dopiest cat going! he gets halfway through playing or attacking something (normally a foot) and keels over sideways and just sleeps! Hes still a kitten but he just sleeps none stop!
So i suppose it depends what your cat is like :)

[ATB_roo]

Well, my cat is pretty fast. She's small and agile which could play to her advantage in a scenerio such as this. I'm just not sure whether she could keep up her speed for the full 26 miles.

[wildwood]

All species of cats are pretty fast because they need that to catch their prey. Their stamina however is very shortlived.

There is no way a domestic cat could beat a human over a long distance such as a marathon.

[ATB_roo]

I see what you're proposing and I agree that a cat could probably not keep up the speed for 26 miles. However, would a tortoise and the hare situation come into play i.e. would my cat's short but fast burst and then rests be able to beat my mother's slower but steady pace?

[wildwood]

I don't think so. Your mother would be running at say 7mph.

A cat could probably sprint at 20mph for 5 second but in a realistic situation, to keep up with your mother the cat must run at 14mph for one minute (which I doubt it could) but would only be able to rest for one minute to recover before your mother catches up with it. I really think that after a couple of those 2 minute stints the cat would become very distressed and be unable to continue.

A cat is just not designed to run for a great distance.

[ATB_roo]

Thanks, you have been really helpful. I don't think i'll put it to the test!