Research has shown that Asians may operate at a disadvantage in the marathon. Runners from the Orient average 2.2-2.3 meters a stride, with those from other areas loping at 2.7-2.8 meters with each step.
據專家研究，經過訓練的東、西方百公尺好手，東方選手每跑出一步的距離是二公尺二、三，西方飛毛腿跨出的步伐，卻差不多有二公尺七、八；因此，實力相當的東西方好手一跑起來，往往有十來公尺的差距。