It’s a test you can put yourself to if you wish to increase the speed of your running forward. The slow runners can effectively increase their speed of running if they master the art of running backwards, say sports scientists at Manchester Metropolitan University.

According to a new report in The Telegraph, the scientists have been working with Shantelle Gaston-Hird, who holds the female record for the quickest backward half-marathon. She starter retro-training six years ago and had since managed to knock more than half an hour off her triathlon time.

Running backwards is harder than running forward so Gaston-Hirdu uses about 30% more oxygen. IT has also made her muscles stronger helping her run faster and longer.