Indeed interesting, and it does not surprise me that a human can beat a animal carrying a heavy load (a human) in an endurance event given we are hairless sweaty mammals optimised for endurance rather than speed. Adding a proportional burden for humans (maybe 10kg) would give horses a huge advantage.
It seems the race is also long-term optimised for humans to win. There are a lot more human competitors (> 10:1 ratio). The prize fund increased by 1000 pounds per year until a human won, no doubt attracting faster and faster athletes in increasing numbers.
The course has also been varied making year on year comparisons difficult.
It seems the race is also long-term optimised for humans to win. There are a lot more human competitors (> 10:1 ratio). The prize fund increased by 1000 pounds per year until a human won, no doubt attracting faster and faster athletes in increasing numbers.
The course has also been varied making year on year comparisons difficult.