new runner - how long should it take me to run 5k?

Don't worry bro it doesn't really matter there will certainly be a lot of people both in front of you and behind you. That is the beauty of this sport everyone can have fun doing it. Just do your best, the key is trying to improve on your times. So run the race and then train hard to beat your time. Good luck bro.

(1) For a new runner, I think a good goal would be to average under 7 minutes per mile for a 5k. 6:59 pace x 3.1 miles = 21:39.

(2) After that I'd imagine 20:00 is a nice barrier. To run 19:59 you'd need to average 6:26's.

(3) 18:59 - now you're starting to get a little more serious. 6:07 pace. That's not easy, many people cannot run one 6:07 mile, much less 3.1 of them.

(4) 17:59 - now I actually think of you as a competitive runner. Well done. Before that you were just a hobby jogger to me, but I see that 17: out front and I know you are probably doing workouts, running 5-7 days a week. 5:48 pace.

(5) 16:59 - now you're a pretty good competitive runner, you are coming in top 15, 10, or 5 in local road races. 5:28 pace.

(6) 15:59 - you're ballin'. 5:09 pace. Normal people find these speeds shocking, and for good reason. They struggle to run 6-flat for one mile and you can destroy that now. Here's the problem - once you're running sub-16 it's like you've graduated. In the 16's you were the fastest of the slow people. Now that you're in the 15's you're the slowest of the fast people. It's like going from 8th grade to high school.

(7) 14:59 - 4:50 pace. Awesome barrier to break, but you're kind of in no man's land. Local road races are too slow for you now, they offer no competition, so you'll have to find college or high level open meets to keep challenging yourself. You rock, but you're still a very long way from that Trials B qualifier.

(8) 13:59 - 4:30 pace. In the running world, you are now a big fish. Granted, you will get destroyed by top Americans, but they almost don't seem real. They're just guys you see on TV and read out in magazines. If you break 14 you are a legend in your local community of runners. Nearly a Trial B qualifier (13:50). Nice.

(9) 13:30 - 4:21 pace. By now you are one of the top Americans in the sport. Well done. Olympic Trials A standard. You're ridiculous. Good for you. I am jealous.

(10) 12:59 - 4:11 pace. 4-freaking-11 pace. Jesus, people are capable of that? You're top 15-20 in the world.

(11) 12:37 - 4:04 pace. Too impossibly fast. Fastest human of all time. How can someone even run three 4:04 miles in a row?

In conclusion, you should try to run 12:36.

great post. really.

Knock that first quarter mile out in 50-55 and then see what's left in the tank.

Nice post from "here you go."

Well done sir!

OldXCguy wrote:

Well done sir!

I concur. And, pretty spot on with the times and how they stack up. I would give a first timer a wider window but what is posted is a good goal.

Thank you, here you go!

Very informative and helpful. I will keep this in mind.

It's really hard to embarrass yourself in a 5k road race. If you're somewhat fit (as in not overweight, not physically disabled) and you run a few times a week, chances are you'll be in the top half of the race. You could run as slowly as 9 or 10 minute mile pace and not embarrass yourself. But if you care enough about running to be posting on here you'll probably at least be under 22 or 23 minutes.

You missed one out

The ones who talk about it but never do owt.

My buddy just did a 5K. He's 37, never run since high school gym and not really athletic, but fit looking. He did zero training for it.

He ran 26:xx (I forget the exact time) and that put him mid pack.

We had a gentleman's bet that he wouldn't break 25:00 so I know he was trying.

I know many women who do all the local 5Ks and they have trouble breaking 30:00. And they consider themselves runners.

Stay home until you can break 30 minutes, which is jogging. Sub 25 minutes (8 minute pace) and you're running. Sub 20 minutes (6:26 pace) and you're racing.

newrunner43 wrote:

The guy who said this wasn't me

Too bad, that was a great post.

asdfg wrote:

Anything below 18 minutes. If you can't run below 20 minutes then don't waste your time/entry fee.

I'm sick of these chubby ****s with their 30 minute 5ks yelling that they do it for fun.

PS: You can get a decent marathon shirt at any of your local thrift stores if you're in it for bragging rights.

Or some people run for charities, douche

Wrong forum. Please go to forums.runnersworld.com for your own sanity. I tell you this as a friend.

I bet "asdfg" did not expect to be called a "douche" nearly 2 years after his troll post. Well played.

Or... wrote:

asdfg wrote:

Anything below 18 minutes. If you can't run below 20 minutes then don't waste your time/entry fee.

I'm sick of these chubby ****s with their 30 minute 5ks yelling that they do it for fun.

PS: You can get a decent marathon shirt at any of your local thrift stores if you're in it for bragging rights.

Or some people run for charities, douche

Do you know how much of a douchebag you sound like?! I didn't realize that every runner in the world had to meet the bean pole criteria before running a 5k...and for that matter..not every stick thin person is capable of running a 5k in under 30 minutes..what's your build and time on a 5k???? Oh wait I don't give a shit!

NoFatty wrote:

Knock that first quarter mile out in 50-55 and then see what's left in the tank.

This^

If I could give you one piece of advice it would be to not go off too fast and try to run even pace.