LEVELS OF COMPETITIVE DISTANCE RUNNING
Applies to males and females from ages 21 to 34 for distances from 5k to marathon.
LEVELS
1. Out of this world: Extremely fast, some in the general running public suspect these runners of using illegal performance enhancers. Theses runners are world record holders, Olympic and world finalists. Their performances are more machine like than human-like. Easily make six digit salaries after race winnings, appearance fees, and sponsorships.
2. World Class: Potential to be Olympic and World Championship qualifiers, able to win 90% of races in the world at any given time. Top runners in their nation. They make a good living out of just running. Have accomplished a lot in running except maybe a medal at a major international competition.
3. Professional Amateur: Age group winners at most races, can finish in the top 10% at just about any national class race. Run mostly unattached, but devote just as much to training as professional runners. Many are post collegiate un-sponsored athletes who still choose to pursue personal records. May be part of a low key running team. Receives comped entries into national level races. Dreams of making it pro.
4. Weekend Warrior: Not able to devote as much time to training as possible, due to other commitments (family, career/job, school, etc.). May run only once or twice during the week, but places a high priority on their weekend long run. Races sporadically, has to pay their own way to any race. Sticks to mostly local races, might race a national level race as part of an extended vacation. Pleasantly surprised when they finish within the top three in their age group at local races.
5. Elite Jogger: Does not consider themselves a serious runner. They have some natural running talent, but choose to not maximize it, instead using running as a means to maintaining fitness. Uses running as a form of conditioning for another sport. Might run (seldom race) a few low key local races as part of a fundraiser. Takes great pride in finishing any race. Likens running to a social activity, motivation dwindles without friends to run with.
MALE TIME STANDARDS
Level 5k 10k 10mi Half-mar. Marathon
1 12:59 26:59 44:59 59:59 2:05:59
2 13:59 28:59 47:59 1:04:59 2:14:59
3 14:59 30:59 51:59 1:08:59 2:24:59
4 15:59 32:59 54:59 1:13:59 2:34:59
5 16:59 34:59 59:59 1:17:59 2:44:59
FEMALE TIME STANDARDS
Level 5k 10k 10mi Half-mar. Marathon
1 14:59 30:59 51:59 1:08:59 2:24:59
2 15:59 32:59 54:59 1:13:59 2:34:59
3 16:59 34:59 59:59 1:17:59 2:44:59
4 17:59 37:59 1:01:59 1:22:59 2:54:59
5 18:59 39:59 1:05:59 1:27:59 3:04:59
DISCLAIMER: These descriptions and time standards may sound somewhat elitist, as the standard for the slowest group in the marathon for men and woman is 2:44:59 and 3:04:59 respectively. I by no means think these are slow times at all. In essence all of the runners and standards described here can be considered “ELITE” when compared to the general public, including non-runners. But I have chosen to limit my sample to competitive runners, hence the title at top. It’s my belief that anyone that can run even the slowest standard here is competitive, but I would not go as far as saying that a 2:44 marathoner is in the same league as a 2:10 marathoner, that is why I have taken the time to break down the level of that “competitiveness” . And just for the record, yes I have toooo much free time as all I do is run and work very little, and I myself am an ambitious level 3 “professional amateur” runner.