Normal text size Very large text size Stewart McSweyn is striking when he runs. And that makes sense, for greatness is striking, so it tends to look that way, too. Running itself is universal, of course – elemental even – yet the gait, rhythm and stride of champions is often as unique as the furrows and ridges of a fingerprint. The legendary Australian miler John Landy, for instance, ran like an ostrich, powerful thigh muscles doing most of the work. His contemporary Ron Clarke strode with focused fury, like an enraged bull. The great Herb Elliott – according to the late great sports writer Harry Gordon – moved more fluidly, like a cheetah, “flowing as if his body weren’t touching the ground”.