Cyclist VS Runner: Who's The Better Athlete?

Who do you think proved to be the better athlete? 👀 Let us know your thoughts in the comment section below! 👇

A shark can swim faster than me, but I can run faster than a shark… So in a triathlon, it would all come down to who is the better cyclist.

Was a runner for 36 years, having run over 90,000 miles over that time. Then my left knee forced me to stop running and take up cycling. Those many years and miles allowed me to almost immediately begin riding with groups I shouldn’t have been able to stay up with, especially at age 61. Running produced amazing leg strength and heart/lung conditioning. Cycling is so much easier on the body.

I am a cyclist for many years but recently started running in the winter to avoid cleaning my bike/damage to my components/safety issues. I believe that running is way harder than cycling. You spend a lot of time in your head and learning to pace yourself. Doing both now and enjoying both.

So I am a elite runner who has been transitioning to cycling. One of the biggest difference between cycling and running is how with cycling while you are going the entire time, you are able to find small breaks ( going around turns, down hills). These breaks you are able to reduce the load on your legs and still be able to gain speed. In running, you are always having to put down force and you don’t really ever get the same type of breaks like you are able to do with cycling, because even when you get turns and down hills if your legs aren’t used to it then the impact and extra force is going to wear you out just as much as running flat. The aerobic fitness is going to be slightly better with cyclist (Jonas Tdf winner has vo2 of 97, kipchoge has vo2 of 90) but with running you have the impact which makes it a lot more taxing on your body

What a fantastic guest! Seems like a nice chap and comfortable on camera too. Would be fun to see him in more videos!

I do a bit of both of late (been running 10Ks for about 10 years, relatively new back at cycling) and in my limited experience I find it easier to transition from running to cycling than the other way round. Whilst a cyclist is generally strong in the legs and fit aerobically, nothing but training prepares your feet and legs for the impact of running

As a runner for many decades before I took up cycling, I can say that you have to cycle 2 to 3 to 4 times as long as a run to get the equivalent of a run. Running is a more concentrated form of aerobic exercise.

21:29 for 4,5 km is a MASSIVE effort for someone not in the running world. Well done!

Tough one. Alex was definitely a better cyclist than Alex. But then, Alex was a better runner than Alex. Clear to me that overall, all things considered, Alex was the top performer here. Signed, Alex.

Great video. I remember when I first tried running I said to myself - I can easily cycle for many hours so how hard can a 30min run be? The answer was a red faced wheezing mess who had to stop after 15mins to avoid being sick!

The pain Alex is in on the run is hilarious and a well known feeling to me! Always amazes me how a runner can do what they just did and was not even out of breath!

I do both regularly and quite aggressively for my age. One advantage the runner will have is that they're typically lighter and can therefore immediately benefit from this when crossing over to cycling. However, the slightly heavier weight of the cyclist is detrimental when switching to running. Cycling needs bigger, stronger leg muscles, and the running needs low weight and strong cardio. Also, cranking out any sort of improvements in cycling becomes exponentially harder due to the extreme wind resistance, so you tend not to appreciate the difference as much.

Good to see a GCN presenter actually prepared with a Shadow Stand, and not just a stick and a rock. 😅

100% cyclist here but had a hiatus into running a few years back, found running was great for getting a lot done in a shorter period but it took a lot to get my body adapted to running and getting shoes that worked was a headache. I ended up trail running way more than road and I found that it caused less repetitive strain on calfs etc plus I felt the time went a lot quicker for a given distance as I was always trying to negotiate obstacles. It was this fact I went back to cycling full time as my local trails back then were in Epping forest and during the winter they become a absolute bog and I hated running on the road. I do miss the simplicity and the cost factor of not having to buy expensive cycle equipment, If I lived in a better climate I could easily see me doing way more running.

Run is much harder if you are not used to it - I used to be a runner - but cycle now due to heavy body - its no real problem - but running as heavy is pure torture.... But if you dont get injuries (run in terrain or variable dirt roads) running is the best way of getting/keeping in shape... you have to lose weight - and you can do it everywhere - its more time effective and much cheaper.

Love Alex’s face during the run, he looks like a little kid chasing an ice cream truck 😂😂🥰

Very entertaining Sunday morning content. I had a good laugh. Thanks GCN.

Great fun! I regularly do both, so it's super fun to see Alex get that bike-run burn😉

I never comment, but I absolutely must see a marathon vs a 200k from you guys, loved that video as someone who loves both running and cycling 😂