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Running Man was a Zanzibar Land mercenary noted for his high agility. He was well-versed in explosives and setting booby traps that require his fast feet.

Biography

Early life and career

Running Man was once a well-known short-distance runner who gained his fame during the Barcelona Olympics, in which he ran the 100-meter dash in 9.69 seconds. His athletic career was put to an end when he was caught doping (using steroids) and he became a mercenary afterwards. He was involved in terrorist activities through all of Europe. He once served as a sub-leader to a French terrorist group and got his name from the German Special Police Force SEK.

Zanzibar Land Disturbance

Main article: Zanzibar Land Disturbance

In 1999, Running Man fought against Solid Snake in an armory building in Zanzibar Land, during Operation Intrude F014. After donning a gas mask, he released an airborne nerve agent throughout the building, and challenged Snake to beat him before succumbing to the gas. Initially evading Snake's attacks with ease, Running Man's greatest asset was ultimately used against him after Snake placed land mines in his path, while pursuing him around a circuitous route. After Snake told Running Man what his name was, Running Man, while on his deathbed, wondered how "the cheetah" could lose to a snake. Snake simply replied that he "wasn't fast enough."

Behind the scenes

Running Man (ランニング・マン Ranningu Man?) is a boss character who appears in Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake. His name is derived from the Stephen King novel of the same name (written under the pseudonym of Richard Bachman), which was adapted into a film starring Arnold Schwarzenegger. He is one of only two bosses in the game whose name was not changed for the re-released versions.

In the original MSX2 version of Metal Gear 2, the terrorist group that Running Man was once a member of, Les Enfants Terribles, is referred to by name. In the re-released versions, however, the name of the group is not given, presumably to avoid confusion with the unrelated government project of the same name, introduced in Metal Gear Solid. The Metal Gear Solid 4 Database stated that both probably drew their inspiration from Jean Cocteau's 1950 movie Les Enfants Terribles.[1]

Hideo Kojima has stated that Running Man is his favorite boss in the Metal Gear series.[2]

Appearances

References


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