Two intrepid journalists took to the mean streets of the East End yesterday to put Dr Kominer’s theory to the test. Over 1½ miles of urban terrain, between Wapping and Bethnal Green, they conducted a scientifically questionable experiment to find out whether it is quicker to wait for the bus or to walk.

They went their separate ways at 11.55. Hannah Fletcher set off on foot while Yepoka Yeebo was left idling at the bus stop. She had just missed the last bus and, Fletcher hoped, had a long wait ahead of her.

By 12pm Fletcher was speed-walking past council estates, sari shops and cash-and-carries. Beside her, cars squeezed slowly along the narrow road. This was going to be too easy. Victory was surely hers.

Meanwhile, Yeebo had just stepped on to the bus. Sitting next to her was Ikrama Begum, 20, who was travelling the seven stops to her workplace. Ms Begum had clearly figured out the mathematics of walk versus wait long before the scientists. She had only ever walked the route once. “There’s no point, really,” she said.

Five minutes later, Yeebo’s bus had caught up with Fletcher. Fletcher saw the bus approaching behind her and broke into a trot.

As the bus passed, Yeebo scented victory. But unfortunately for her the next bus stop was only seconds away. The smile had barely faded from her face when she saw Fletcher bounding past, her pink anorak flapping behind her.

But Fletcher was soon brought to an abrupt halt at a vast, roaring junction – a variable the scientists did not appear to have factored into their equation.

Or then again, perhaps they had. As Fletcher waited in vain to cross the busy intersection, Yeebo’s bus surged forward across the junction and disappeared over the horizon. Yeebo settled back into her seat for the final cruise to victory.

Fletcher decided that she had drawn the short straw in this experiment. She had a blister.

At 12.15pm, Yeebo arrived in triumph at the finishing line – Bethnal Green Underground station. She did a little victory dance and sat down to wait for Fletcher.

Thirteen minutes later Yeebo saw her rival, hobbling dejectedly down the road, pink anorak now flopping limply in her wake.

Two legs bad: how the race unfolded

11.55 The race begins. Hannah Fletcher sets off on foot, leaving colleague Yepoka Yeebo shivering at the deserted D3 bus stop.

11.57 The East London Line replacement bus, which goes half way to the finish line, arrives at the stop. Yeebo briefly contemplates cheating

12.00 Yeebo’s bus arrives – right on time, according to the driver

12.05 Fletcher spies Yeebo’s bus behind her. She runs. It passes her

12.06 Yeebo’s bus stops. Fletcher catches up, overtakes and sticks her tongue out at Yeebo

12.07 Fletcher is caught at the traffic lights on Whitechapel Road. The bus gets a green light. Yeebo sticks her tongue out at Fletcher

12.08 The bus disappears over the horizon, leaving Fletcher trailing behind

12.09 By now hot and bothered, Fletcher can also feel a blister forming

12.11 The bus turns into bustling Bethnal Green road and approaches the finishing line

12.13 Fletcher stumbles. The strain is beginning to show

12.15 Yeebo is the winner. She steps triumphantly off the bus at Bethnal Green Tube station. Fletcher is still walking, the blister still growing

12.28 The race ends. Fletcher limps to the finish line at Bethnal Green station

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