Elephants can run at speeds of about 10 to 15 miles per hour (16 to 24 kilometers per hour), with African elephants sometimes reaching up to 25 mph (40 km/h) in some reports. However, elephants run in a unique gait called "groucho running," where they never have all four feet off the ground simultaneously, unlike most running animals. This gait makes their movement efficient but different from typical running.

Details on Elephants' Running Speed and Movement

• The typical top speed for elephants is generally in the range of 10-15 mph, although some claims suggest they can go faster for short bursts, rarely exceeding 24-25 mph.

• Elephants do not run in the conventional sense; they increase speed by lengthening stride and step frequency while maintaining at least one foot on the ground at all times. This gait is energetically efficient for their large size.

• The biomechanics of their movement indicate a form of running by some definitions, since their body shows a bouncing motion, but no full aerial phase (all feet off the ground) is observed.

• African elephants tend to be faster than Asian elephants, with African elephants capable of speeds up to 25 mph and Asian elephants around 15 mph.

Overall, while elephants are not "runners" in the classic sense, they can move surprisingly fast for their size and weight using a specialized running-like gait.