Physicist and hamster owner Thijs de Buck recently shared in an interview that his pet hamster, Mollie, has gained unexpected fame in the running community. De Buck, based in Utrecht, the Netherlands, devised a system to track Mollie’s nightly runs on the popular app Strava.

Despite De Buck’s own marathon training efforts, he was surprised to find Mollie receiving significantly more recognition on Strava for his runs, garnering around a thousand likes for each nightly run. Mollie, with his adorable appearance and impressive running skills, covers an average of 10 kilometers per night on his hamster wheel, achieving a personal best of 11.15 kilometers.

De Buck’s tracking system, utilizing a magnet to measure Mollie’s wheel rotations, calculates both speed and distance. This data is then uploaded to Strava daily, showcasing Mollie’s running achievements to a growing audience.

The project, a blend of De Buck’s passion for running and his pet hamster, allows him to monitor Mollie’s activity closely. De Buck expressed his fascination with tracking data and noted his initial curiosity about Mollie’s running habits, which led to the development of the tracking system.

Mollie’s nightly routine aligns with typical hamster behavior, as these animals are known to be active during the night. De Buck emphasized that Mollie’s popularity was unexpected, with the hamster even gaining media attention from outlets like Runner’s World.

Reflecting on Mollie’s newfound fame, De Buck humorously remarked on the appeal of combining running, pets, and innovative technology. The story of Mollie’s nightly runs continues to capture the interest of both running enthusiasts and pet lovers alike.