Thijs de Buck, a physicist from the Netherlands, is amazed by the newfound fame of his pet hamster, Mollie, who has become a running sensation on the Strava app. Despite his own marathon training efforts, de Buck is astonished at Mollie’s popularity and running prowess, receiving thousands of ‘kudos’ for his nightly runs.
Mollie, with his adorable appearance and remarkable running skills, covers an impressive average of 10 kilometers each night on his hamster wheel, achieving a personal best of 11.15 kilometers. De Buck humorously admits that Mollie surpasses his own running achievements, clocking nearly 70 kilometers per week, a distance many marathon runners aspire to reach.
To track Mollie’s nightly runs, de Buck devised a speed and distance tracker using a magnet to measure the hamster wheel rotations. This data is then shared on Strava, where Mollie is gaining popularity. Combining his passion for running and his beloved pet, de Buck enjoys monitoring both his own and Mollie’s running activities.
Mollie’s running stats are automatically updated each morning, providing insights into his active nights as he forages and exercises, mirroring the behavior of wild hamsters in Europe and Asia. Despite not anticipating Mollie’s fame, de Buck is amused by the attention his hamster is receiving and the media coverage, including a feature in Runner’s World.
The unique combination of running, pets, and innovative tracking systems has captured the interest of many, showcasing the unexpected allure of Mollie’s nightly adventures.