As a collegiate long distance runner do I need to worry about weight?

Depends on your body composition. At 6'1" and 160 lbs, you have a BMI of 21.1, which certainly shouldn't prevent you from running fast 1500m-5K times, whereby strength to weight ratio is a more important component. However, if you are carrying excess body fat, losing a few pounds would certainly benefit performance if you do it in a substantial manner. A small caloric deficit incoparing strength training alongside running would lead to the best results to your health, physique and performance.

The most important thing is how you feel. If you feel energetic, fit and strong when you’re running then don’t change a thing. If you feel sluggish then re-examine your nutrition, hydration and sleep. Every runner’s body is different. Just focus on how you feel and not how you look compared to others.

Do you look like a 160 pound professional Middle Weight boxer with your shirt off? That is your answer. It does not matter what your competitors weigh or what your teammates weigh. If you are already at 5% body fat, comparing your weight to J.Ingebrigten's weight is irrelevant. You do have a XC coach don't you? Does your school have a strength and conditioning coach? If you were told to burn 5 plus pounds of fat off, do it.

Yes, i am 6'1 155lb and i race in the 800 and sometimes in the 1500 too.

For my 1500 races i get myself to 149-150lb.

You will be faster if you lose weight.

Exactly like jazzytherunner said, if the extra weight is body fat, then very gradual weight loss, probably 1 lb. a week, early season, could be beneficial. If you're already very lean, I wouldn't worry about weight loss at this point. Keep in mind that caloric deficits can impair performance in the short term, so if you choose to lose a little weight, aim for weight maintenance when you get to the most important races of the season. Good luck with the season!

Weight limits exist for a reason. Nobody wants to see skeletons on the track running laps in under 10 seconds.

There are weight limits? Where do I find them?

I’m 5-10. In college I raced around 150 lbs. Ran 14:40. After college upped the mileage for a couple years training for the marathon. Weight dipped into the low 140s…just couldn’t inhale enough calories to keep up with that volume. Ran 2:22 in the marathon. Took a few years off from heavy training and dabbled in weight training. Bulked up close to 170 lbs. Now I’m back into running at a high level again and didn’t lose all the muscle mass I added, so I’m typically around 160. Last fall I ran 24:45 for 8k and this spring I decided to train for the 800 and broke 2 for the first time (almost 15 years since my last competitive 800 in high school). So…I’ve had 3 different racing weights, and have gotten pretty comparable results at all 3.

This is not to say runners can totally let themselves go (definitely more important as you age and your metabolism slows), but as long as you are eating healthy and feel energetic and strong, your weight does not matter. I would not try and lose weight at 6-1 and 160 lbs.

He won't run 13:30 at that weight. I would guess Hoare to be about 6'1" and 140.

Chris Solinsky was 6’1” and 160 when he ran 26:59 and 12:55

No. Stop. Train hard and eat well and the rest will take care of itself.

I heard that every body is beautiful, so it shouldn't matter if you are 140 or 240. (not so sure about 340 tbh)

He is 1 in 1 billion. I love when people use anecdotal evidence.

There is such as thing as 'too light' and such a thing as 'too heavy'. Aim for the lowest body fat you can safely achieve and when you get there, make sure you maintain a neutral calorie balance. Depending on your appetite this might mean dieting or it might mean forcing more food down. Once you are super lean, losing weight means losing strength.

Going to hijack this a little, but I'm a 6'1 guy hovering between 180-185

I was 162-165 when I set my PR's and I ran around 7:45 pace most days

Over a year later I run 6:45-7:15 pace most days and can hit my workouts a lot faster like tempos and stuff in the sub 6 range, my endurance has improved tenfold as I could barely tempo in the 6:20s in HS. I don't look very different from my 160 days and I didn't really get any taller

So are these extra 20 pounds just natural and helping me?

You run D2. Who gives a crap what you do.

The most important evidence here is the large number of runners, both male and female, who struggle with eating disorders. The OP asked if he should “worry” about weight. The answer is unequivocally No. Worrying about weight or appearance is a ticket to an eating disorder, and I can tell you from prior experience that is not a path worth going down.

runnersworld.com

How Male Runners With Disordered Eating Slip Through the Cracks

Disordered eating is not just a women’s problem. But many coaches, athletes, and even doctors fail to recognize it in men. The consequences can be devastating.

Link:www.runnersworld.com/health-injuries/a...

I’m also a little over 6’1 and focus on 800m but branch out to 400m, 1500m and occasionally 3k at the D1 level. I train around 175 and aim for a tad under 170 for peak racing.

Im not gonna lie, I get dragged during XC. I’m not a D1 level 8k+ guy by any means, but I also am guaranteed injury if I try to train at full capacity in even the mid to low 160s.

As others have said, look at body composition more than weight. 160 on our frame can look fat-skinny or toned. If you’re fat skinny, increase your lean protein intake and look for cleaner carbs, but don’t cut calories. If you have visible abs and full body muscle tone you’re probably fine and shouldn’t worry about it. I’d argue 160 with low bodyfat% is borderline ideal for that 1500m/5000m type athlete. Jakob ingebrigsten is roughly 6’0 155 which translates roughly to your size.