A silverback gorilla can run at speeds of up to 20 to 25 miles per hour (32 to 40 kilometers per hour) over short distances. This impressive speed is notable given their large size and muscular build, often weighing up to 400-500 pounds (180-230 kg)

. They use this burst of speed primarily for defense, territorial disputes, and navigating dense forest terrain. However, they are sprinters rather than endurance runners and tire quickly after short bursts

. Their speed is comparable to that of elite human sprinters but generally exceeds the average human running speed

. In summary, silverback gorillas are surprisingly fast for their size, capable of reaching up to 25 mph in short sprints.