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Questions and answers about sports

Realistic best time for 5k?

4 min read

Asked by: Aidan Reid

As you can see, most of the average runners run 5K in a 25 to 35 mins range. Less than 17 mins: These are exceptional runners. Some of the best athletes and regular runners can run 5K in less than 17 mins. The world record is about 12:37 and you can imagine how hard that would be to improve each second.

What is a realistic 5K time?

Many runners complete a 5K in 30 to 40 minutes, and many runners are satisfied with their time if it’s around this benchmark. The average walker finishes a 5K in 45 to 60 minutes.

What is an impressive 5K time?

The world record time for a 5K stands at 12:37.35 minutes for men, held by Kenenisa Bekele, and 14:11.15 minutes for women, held by Tirunesh Dibaba – pretty impressive! The average 5K time for an advanced/elite runner is under 17 minutes for men and under 19 minutes for women.

What is a good time for 5K by age?

In 2018 alone, 2.9 million people participated in 5k races. Based on all of that data, we have a pretty good idea of what a good 5k time is.



Average Intermediate 5k Times: Male.

Age Group: Male Average Intermediate 5k Time
20-30 22:31
30-40 23:01
40-50 24:39
50-60 26:42

Is 5k in 16 minutes good?

Target Race Pace: 5:10 per mile/ 3:13 p/km for a 16 Minute 5k. Successfully running a 16 minute 5k means you will need to be able to run slightly faster than a target race pace of 5:10 minute per mile pace for the full 3.1 mile distance.

Can I run a sub 20 minute 5k?

Target Race Pace: 6:25 per mile / 3:59 per km for a sub 20 5k. In order to achieve a sub 20 5k you will need to be able to run just under a target race pace of 6:25 minutes per mile pace for the full 3.1 mile distance. That’s 4 minutes per kilometer in new money.

Is it OK to run 5K every day?

Running a 5K every day can be a great way to improve your cardiovascular health, strengthen and maintain your muscles and keep yourself sane while you’re stuck at home, as long as you’re not brand-new to running. Plus, when paired with a healthy diet, it may even help you lose weight.

Is 5K in 20 minutes good?

Anything under 30 minutes is a good 5K finish time for most recreational runners. But for those seeking to challenge themselves and reach their full running potential, joining the sun 20 minutes 5K club is a true accomplishment.

What is the fastest 5K high school time?

The all-time U.S. high school 5K record is owned by Dathan Ritzenhein of Rockford, Mich., at 14:10.40, set in 2000.

Is a sub 18 minute 5k good?

18:00 5k is very fast for most people, even with maximal training. Some high school kids and adults can hit 18 minutes on under 20 miles per week of running. It happens a lot on runners world forums where they discuss training.

How do I get a 17 minute 5k?

Short interval speed work working at 5 minute mile pace faster than 5k race pace. It's going to build that leg turnover that's stride power.

How hard is a 15 minute 5k?

Therefore, given that a 15-minute 5K requires a pace of 4:50 per mile, you should run about three and one-half miles at a pace of 5:15 to 5:20 per mile.

How fast can Mo Farah Run 10k?

The official British 10km record has stood untouched for more than 11 years after Sir Mo Farah ran 27:44 in the 2010 Bupa London 10km.

Is 5K in 13 minutes good?

They suggest that females run, on average, at a pace of 13 minutes per mile with a finish time of about 42 minutes and that males run about 11 minutes per mile with a finish time of close to 35 minutes.

What eat night before 5K?

While a 5K running race might not need too much preparation, it’s still important to eat well the night before. We’re talking complex carbohydrates, protein and a little fat to give your body enough energy to perform at it’s best. Suggestion: Grilled salmon, brown rice and steamed veg such as broccoli or spinach.

Should I drink coffee before a 5K?

The bottom line: Caffeine can be an effective—and legal—performance enhancer. Abstaining from caffeine for the week leading up to your event, and consuming 6mg of caffeine per kg of body weight one hour before you race may be the most effective way to reap its benefits.

Should you have coffee before a run?

Caffeine (in coffee or otherwise) improves performance…



Hundreds of studies have shown that consuming caffeine before a physical challenge likely helps subjects go farther and faster than when they go without it. This effect holds true in studies of both endurance athletes and sprinters.