AbstractThe aim of the present study was to investigate lower limb anthropometric and composition variables related to running economy (RE) and running performance in a homogeneous group of high level European distance runners. RE at the speeds of 14, 16 and 18 km·h⁻¹(189 ± 12; 188 ± 11; 187 ± 11 O₂ml·kg⁻¹·km⁻¹) and maximal oxygen uptake (VO_2max) (67.3 ± 2.9 ml·kg⁻¹·min⁻¹) of 13 high level distance runners were determined on a motorised treadmill. Anthropometric variables and body composition were measured. The BMI was related to RE at the speed of 14 (r²= 0.434; p = 0.014), 16 (r²= 0.436; p = 0.014) and 18 km·h⁻¹(r²= 0.389; p = 0.023). Lower leg length was negatively related to RE at the speed of 16 and showed such a tendency at the speed of 14 and 18 km·h⁻¹. VO_2maxindicated a moderate relationship with RE at the speeds of 14, 16 and 18 km·h⁻¹(r²= 0.372, p = 0.030; r²= 0.350, p = 0.033; r²= 0.376, p = 0.026, respectively) which was confirmed by subsequent partial correlation analysis. While lower leg length and the BMI presented a relationship with RE, none of the calculated body composition and anthropometric proportions were related to RE or performance. The relationship between RE and VO_2maxwould confirm the notion that RE could be at least partly compensated by VO_2maxto achieve high performance results.