LeBron James: Malcolm Gladwell challenges NBA superstar to one-mile race

Aug. 24 (UPI) -- Best-selling author Malcolm Gladwell wants to face off against LeBron James in a one-mile run.

Gladwell, 53, was on Twitter Wednesday talking about wanting to race the Cleveland Cavaliers superstar. He brought the subject up after reading a Citius Mag article titled: How fast can LeBron James run a mile? Faster than you think.

The article speculated that James could cover 5,280 feet in 4:40, before some more reasoning brought the estimation down to 4:20.

James, 32, is listed at 6-foot-8, 250 pounds.

After reading the article, Gladwell tweeted: "Lebron? You out there? Aging hack runner who peaked in high school wants to race."

Gladwell oringally asked for James' participation in a 5k.

"Let's start by asking for a 5k and see if he goes for it. @CitiusMag," Gladwell tweeted.

Gladwell said he would do the race anywhere and anytime. The author broke five minutes in the mile in 2013 at the 5th Avenue Miler, according to Sports Illustrated.

"I'm dead serious. One mile. Anywhere. Anytime. Me vs Lebron. All proceeds to charity. @KingJames @CitiusMag," he tweeted.

Gladwell said it was the "best day" of his life and also agreed that the showdown would be better than Saturday's fight between Conor McGregor and Floyd Mayweather.

Two-time Olympic medalist Nick Willis even offered to coach the novelist for the bout.

James awed fans this week when he posted a video of one of his many workouts on Instagram. The footage showed James sprinting in circles while dunking at both ends of the court. He didn't stop running until his trainers requested a pause. James finally rested while hanging on the rim.

Sports Illustrated's Tim Layden speculated that James ran 250 yards in 50 seconds, while dunking eight times during the video. With that pace, and those dunks, James was running a 3:52 mile.