Running faster than "the other guy" does not equate to running faster than the bear. What if the bear chooses you instead of the slower guy? If I had to choose between "a slower guy" or a shotgun to be my lifeline in the event of a bear attack, I'd take the shotgun any day. (The fact that I hunt alone removes the "slower guy" option anyway.
LOL... this is kinda turning into a pointless conversation I guess, but, I simply come back to the main point. Saying that
bears are too fast, so don't bother carrying a shotgun, is like saying,
fire is too fast, hot, and unpredictable, so don't bother having a fire extinguisher in your home. 