diff --git a/src/rendering/camera_controller.cpp b/src/rendering/camera_controller.cpp
index 21626f52..0eeb7c50 100644
--- a/src/rendering/camera_controller.cpp
+++ b/src/rendering/camera_controller.cpp
@@ -1446,10 +1446,12 @@ void CameraController::update(float deltaTime) {
             bool shouldHidePlayer = isFirstPersonView() || (actualDist < MIN_DISTANCE + 0.1f);
             characterRenderer->setInstanceVisible(playerInstanceId, !shouldHidePlayer);
 
-            // Drive movement animation: Run (4) when moving, Stand (0) when idle.
+            // Drive movement animation: Run (4) / Walk (5) when moving, Stand (0) when idle.
             // Only transition on state changes to avoid resetting animation time every frame.
             // Skip if current animation is Death (1) — death pose must persist.
             bool nowMoving = isMoving();
+            // Use Run (4) when running forward; Walk (5) for backpedal or slow pace.
+            uint32_t movingAnim = runPace ? 4u : 5u;
             if (nowMoving != prevPlayerMoving_) {
                 prevPlayerMoving_ = nowMoving;
                 uint32_t curAnimId = 0; float curT = 0.0f, curDur = 0.0f;
@@ -1457,7 +1459,14 @@ void CameraController::update(float deltaTime) {
                     playerInstanceId, curAnimId, curT, curDur);
                 if (!gotState || curAnimId != 1 /*Death*/) {
                     characterRenderer->playAnimation(playerInstanceId,
-                        nowMoving ? 4u : 0u, /*loop=*/true);
+                        nowMoving ? movingAnim : 0u, /*loop=*/true);
+                }
+            } else if (nowMoving) {
+                // Also switch between Run and Walk if pace changes while moving.
+                uint32_t curAnimId = 0; float curT = 0.0f, curDur = 0.0f;
+                characterRenderer->getAnimationState(playerInstanceId, curAnimId, curT, curDur);
+                if (curAnimId != movingAnim && curAnimId != 1 /*Death*/) {
+                    characterRenderer->playAnimation(playerInstanceId, movingAnim, /*loop=*/true);
                 }
             }
         }