Sprinting

Sprinting is a feature in Beta 1.8, which allows the player to run faster, around 5.6 meters/second. This is about 30% faster than the normal walking speed of around 4.3 m/s. The player sprints by double tapping the "Forward" key ( by default) and then holding it. It is possible to jump across four blocks horizontally (although difficult), instead of the usual two blocks by sprinting, however the jump height is no higher than normal.

Sprinting is unlimited as long as the Food Bar is above 30%, but it also depletes the bar at a rate of 1/2 a food unit every 40 meters, or 7 seconds, as long as the foodSaturationLevel is at 0. When a player sprints, particles come from the player's feet corresponding to the block type they are running on. When a player attacks any mobs (excluding squid) while sprinting, the mob suffers a large knock back.

Sprinting stops when you collide with a solid block, or perform a sneaking action such as blocking. You do not stop sprinting when you run into a mob. Attacking a mob stops your sprint, but breaking a block doesn't. In addition, the player isn't set on fire when you run through up to four consecutive blocks of fire (the fifth block does ignite the player). It is possible to make turns with the "Left" and "Right" keys (by default, and  respectively) while sprinting without slowing down, thus altering the direction of where you go.

After switching on the "sprinting state" the field of view also slightly changes (increases FOV by 20) to give the player more view of the terrain.

Trivia

 * When sprinting in water you get a very minor speed boost, but it isn't very noticeable. On the other hand, bobbing in water (holding down jump while swimming) gets you around faster.

Bugs

 * When sprinting on unusual level surfaces (like repeaters), it is possible to sink 1 block into the ground.
 * Water does not stop you from sprinting, and the normal particles generated from sprinting are shown (as water block particles), but you don't move noticeably faster than normal while in the water.
 * When sprinting on Leaf blocks, the particles are gray.

History

 * Before 1.0, sprinting and jumping while in a 2 block high tunnel or house caused a speed almost twice as high as regular sprinting speed. This is rather inefficient, however, as this can easily drain food at a rate of about 1 unit per second, but it proves an excellent form of transport when playing on peaceful, or if one has a large amount of food.
 * Doing the same as above, except on top of Ice allowed the player to move at an astonishing 16 blocks per second. That is twice as fast as a full speed minecart on powered rails.
 * Doing the same as above but with trapdoors just above the ice, one could travel 1000 blocks in 54 seconds (18.518 blocks per second).