| “ | Let the race begin! | „ |
| ~ Running Man taunting Solid Snake. |
The Running Man, additionally self-proclaimed as The Cheetah, is a minor antagonist appearing only in Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake, acting as a quick trap-master Zanzibar Land mercenary sent to assassinate the titular character; a now legendary Solid Snake.
History[]
Backstory[]
The Running Man got his codename from his inhumanly high speeds, as he was formerly an Olympic sprinter and became world famous during the Barcelona Olympics for doing the 100 meter dash in only 9 seconds. However, his fame and career came to a halt when he was caught using steroids to assist him. As such, he disappeared from popular culture and became a mercenary. He was served as a sub-leader of a French terrorist group leader, and would be named "Running Man" by the German Special Police Force SEK.
Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake[]
The Running Man then became a member of Zanzibar Land and would be ordered to find and kill the legendary Solid Snake, a war veteran who easily intercepted Zanzibar Land's barracks. Once Snake arrived at the armory, he met and fought the Running Man, who boasted that he was the world's fastest mercenary, even showing off his speed by performing a lap of the room. Wearing a gas mask, Running Man flooded the room with fatal chemicals, granting the operative one last battle before the gas kills him.
The Running Man also battled his rival with his great speed and cleverly placed land mines. However, Snake survived the gas and mines before beating the Running Man and telling the mortally wounded mercenary what his name was. The Running Man was shocked at how "the cheetah could be beaten by a snake," and Snake simply replies with "You just weren't fast enough," right before the mercenary succumbs his wounds.
Trivia[]
- The Running Man's name is based off the Stephen King novel with the same title.
- Running Man's terrorist group is called Les Enfants Terribles, which coincidentally was also the name of the project that led to the birth of Solid Snake, Solidus Snake, and Liquid Snake.
- Hideo Kojima, the creator of the Metal Gear franchise, stated the Running Man's boss fight is his favorite in the entire series.
