To the uninitiated, the run could seem to just be the only way to get down the runway, but the run has great importance on the vault.
The most important part of an effective run is the vaulter should be at his or her fastest at the end. That may seem simple, but there are many people who start with a burst of speed and can't hold on to that pace causing them to slow down right before the vault. The run is used to build up power and momentum to use for the rest of the vault, and slowing down takes away that power.
Maroney has her run down to a science. She has only 12 steps to reach her maximum speed, easing her way into it and reaching her top speed around step six or seven.
Let's also remember Maroney is doing all of this on a re-injured broken toe, an injury that would keep a normal NFL player out for about four weeks.
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