Everyone has seen the clips by now. Darren Watkins Jr., better known to the world as IShowSpeed, flying down a track or a random sidewalk, screaming at the top of his lungs. He’s built an entire brand around being fast.
But if you strip away the barking and the "Sui" celebrations, the question remains: how fast is IShowSpeed when the clock is actually running?
People love to debate this because Speed is that rare hybrid of a professional entertainer and a legit natural athlete. He’s not just a guy who sits in a gaming chair all day. He’s out there jumping over speeding Lamborghinis and racing Olympic gold medalists. Honestly, his raw athleticism is kind of terrifying for someone who doesn't train professionally.
But let’s get into the numbers.
The Viral 40-Yard Dash: 4.44 or Just Hype?
The biggest piece of evidence fans point to is his 40-yard dash. Back in early 2024, Speed participated in a filmed 40-yard dash that sent the internet into a frenzy. He clocked a 4.44 seconds.
To put that in perspective, a 4.44 would make him faster than many NFL wide receivers and cornerbacks at the NFL Combine. For a guy who eats Prime and streams for 10 hours a day, that’s insane.
However, we have to be realistic. Track experts and Reddit sleuths have dissected the footage frame-by-frame. Most consensus timings suggest that with a standardized "hand-timed" or electronic start, he's likely closer to a 4.5 or 4.6. Even a 4.6 is blazing fast for an amateur. In a later challenge for a series called Speed Goes Pro, he recorded a 4.49-second 40-yard dash while training with NFL stars like Sauce Gardner.
Racing Noah Lyles: The 50-Meter Showdown
You can’t talk about how fast is IShowSpeed without mentioning the time he actually raced the fastest man on Earth. In November 2024, Speed convinced Olympic gold medalist Noah Lyles to race him in a 50-meter dash for $100,000 (facilitated by MrBeast).
What happened was actually shocking.
Speed didn’t just lose immediately. He actually had a faster start than Lyles. For the first 10 to 15 meters, the streamer was neck-and-neck with the world champion. Lyles eventually "turned on the jets" and pulled away to win comfortably, but the fact that Speed stayed in the frame at all was a massive win for his credibility.
Lyles himself admitted Speed has "raw talent," even if his technique is basically non-existent. Speed runs with his chest way too far forward and his arms flailing, which wastes a ton of energy. If he actually learned how to drive his knees and stay upright, he’d be a problem on a local track circuit.
Estimating a 100m Time
Since Speed usually races shorter distances like the 40-yard or 50-meter, we don't have a perfect, official 100m time for him. But we can do some math.
His 40-yard dash of 4.49 seconds roughly translates to a 100m time of about 12.1 to 12.4 seconds.
- Elite High School Level: Sub-11 seconds
- Decent High School Athlete: 11.5 - 12.0 seconds
- IShowSpeed (Estimated): 12.2 seconds
- Average Adult Male: 14.0 - 15.0 seconds
He’s clearly in the "gifted athlete" tier, but he isn't "Olympic fast." He once raced fellow YouTuber KSI in a 100m race and won with a time of 12.80 seconds, though that was on a casual track without blocks or proper spikes.
Why He Looks Faster Than He Is
There’s a difference between "track speed" and "game speed." Speed has incredible "twitch" muscles. His acceleration—his ability to go from standing still to top speed—is top-tier.
In September 2025, he raced NBA star Jaylen Brown in the streets of Boston. Speed actually beat the NBA champion in a short sprint, though he ended up pulling his hamstring in the process. Most professional athletes are surprised by him because they expect a "streamer" to be slow. They underestimate his explosion out of the gate.
His top speed has been estimated at roughly 19 to 21 mph. For comparison, Usain Bolt reached a top speed of 27.78 mph. Speed is fast, but he's not "breaking the laws of physics" fast. He's just much faster than the average person you'd meet at the gym.
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The Verdict on Speed’s Athletics
So, how fast is IShowSpeed?
He’s a 4.5-range 40-yard dash runner with the potential to break 12 seconds in a 100m if he actually trained. He relies entirely on his genetics and "freak" athleticism.
If you're looking to improve your own speed to match someone like Darren, you shouldn't just copy his "run and scream" method. Focus on these three areas that Speed actually lacks:
- Hip Mobility: Speed’s strides are often choppy because his hips are tight.
- Drive Phase: He stands up way too early in his sprints.
- Plyometrics: This is actually where Speed excels—his vertical jump and "bounce" are what give him that initial 10-meter burst.
He might not be an Olympian, but IShowSpeed is probably the fastest "non-athlete" on the internet right now. Just don't expect him to beat Tyreek Hill anytime soon.
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Next Steps for Track Enthusiasts:
If you're curious about how these times compare to professional standards, check out the official NFL Combine database to see how your favorite players' 40-yard dash times stack up against Speed's 4.49. You can also analyze your own sprinting form by recording a side-on video of a 30-meter start to check your shin angles and torso positioning.