You might find another idea more plausible: Both humans and cats have a vagus nerve running from their brain stem. In running, the cat may simply be working off excess energy brought on by stimulation of the nerve. Less interesting is the notion that notoriously hygienic cats may simply want to shake off excess litter or fecal matter by running a 100-meter dash, or that a digestive problem has led to some discomfort they’re attempting to flee from.