Outwalking the Grim Reaper: How Your Walking Speed Shapes Longevity

Outwalking the Grim Reaper: How Your Walking Speed Shapes Longevity

by Dr Cherie Haigh

As Halloween approaches and the Grim Reaper lurks in our collective imagination, one question feels surprisingly relevant: how fast does the Grim Reaper walk, and can we outpace him?

According to Australian researchers, the answer is yes. In fact, the faster you walk, the further you might keep death at bay.

The study that started it all

A team from the University of Sydney analysed over 1,700 older men as part of the Concord Health and Ageing in Men Project. Their 2011 paper, published in the BMJ, was cheekily titled “How fast does the Grim Reaper walk?”

Their findings were both humorous and profound:

· The Grim Reaper’s “preferred walking speed” was calculated at 0.82 metres per second (about 3 km/h).

· Men who could walk faster than 1.36 m/s (around 5 km/h) were never “caught”, not a single one died during the study’s follow-up period.

In other words, if you can stroll at a decent pace, you might just stay one step ahead of the Reaper.

What walking speed really tells us

Walking speed reflects the performance of your body’s orchestra: heart, lungs, muscles, nerves, and even mental focus. When everything works in harmony, you move with purpose.

A slower walking pace can hint that one or more systems are struggling. In older adults, gait speed is now recognised as one of the most powerful predictors of overall health and life expectancy. It’s not about how far you can go, but how well your body moves when you try.

As Brook Mason, Bowen Therapist at Health Shack, reminds us:

“As we age, staying active and maintaining flexibility becomes more challenging, which can impact independence and overall quality of life. Gentle, consistent movement and therapies that support joint health and body alignment are key to helping older adults stay strong, comfortable, and active.”

At Health Shack, we love this because it echoes our philosophy: movement is medicine, and quality movement says more about health than numbers on a scale or steps on a smartwatch. And walking is one of the most under-rated prescriptions out there.

Dr Alvin Lai, Chiropractor at Health Shack, puts it simply:

“I do at least 90 minutes of dedicated exercise a day. This can be broken up, but the important bit is dedicated. So running errands or doing chores doesn’t count, it has to be time set aside for walking, stretching, or active sports.”

That’s the difference between moving by accident and moving with intention. The latter builds strength, stability, and long-term resilience — all essential for healthy ageing.

This Halloween, make it playful

Imagine the Grim Reaper ambling down your street at 3 km/h. Now picture yourself striding confidently at 5 km/h, wind in your hair, heart pumping, endorphins flowing. He fades into the background. You’re in control.

This Halloween, you don’t need garlic or holy water, just your walking shoes and a brisk pace.

Small steps, big impact

You don’t have to break records. Try these simple changes:

1. Walk with purpose — Pretend you’re late to meet someone you care about.

2. Add short bursts — One minute brisk, one minute relaxed.

3. Find a walking buddy — Connection fuels consistency.

4. Check your pace — A healthy goal for most adults is between 4–6 km/h.

5. Listen to your body — Pain, breathlessness, or dizziness are signs to slow down and check in with a health professional.

A final thought

Longevity doesn’t come from fear, it comes from movement, curiosity, and connection. So this Halloween, lace up your shoes, and take a brisk walk under the moonlight. You might just leave the Reaper trailing behind… with a knowing smile.

Reference: Stanaway F. F., Gnjidic D., Blyth F. M., Le Couteur D. G., Naganathan V., et al. (2011). How fast does the Grim Reaper walk? Receiver operating characteristics curve analysis in healthy men aged 70 and over. BMJ, 343, d7679. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.d7679