What is considered an average time for the mile/1500m in college?

When did a 4:20 1500 meter time become average for any college runner not in a wheelchair, carrying a twenty pound turkey or with tits. That's damn near a 4:40 mile - girls in high school have run 4:40.

An average collegiate time, I don't care the division, should be equivalent to breaking 4:20 in the mile.

Hubbard, you have to be joking.

Average? wrote:

An average collegiate time, I don't care the division, should be equivalent to breaking 4:20 in the mile.

The question wasn't what the average "should" be, however. I would be very surprised if the average collegiate male performance at 1,500 were substantially under 4:20.

If you take in consideration ALL 1500 runners in college you're looking at a pretty big range. I think you first have to seperate the small percentage of guys that are putting a huge committment and that probably cuts off at 4:10. I don't any guys running below that level that are really focusing on running as much as it takes to run at full potential. So then you have a lot of guys basically taking the intermural approach which results in a lot of 4:30 guys. I would'nt say 4:40 is dead set at average but I would probably go with 4:30. So were lookin at a 1500 of 4:13. Average college running. Now this is including D3, NAIA. DI average would be 4:03 or so.Above average 3:55, and conference scoring class around 3:50.

Average, oldguy set you right but, I need to ask, where do you see me suggesting that a 4:20 1500m is the average for ANY division? I feel good about my 'guesses' for division averages. I'm not joking.

I forgot to say, my 'guesses' for the divisions appear on pg 1 and start w/4:05 for 1500m. Also, I don't suggest 4:20 for any division but it is the upper limit I put down for Div 3. Again, these are for AVERAGES.

I think this separation of average into three diff categories (D1, D2, etc.) misses the mark. Although, in general, the quality of performers is less in the D3s (NAIA)... by the way, I was one of these... everyone's got two legs, feet, so on.

Of course, I can see how one might consider average as literally the mean time of all runners, but I do not think this gets to the issue that the original poster was inquiring on.

By average, he means, what is respectable. In my book, 4:10-12 in the mile (across all divisions) is about where I would draw the line at "average" (respectable). Under 4:06-7 and you're good. Under 4:03 and you're real good. Under 4:00, even though there can be a fairly wide range from say low 3:50s to 3:59.9, and you're excellent (much better than average).

So by those standards JEH, what is a 4:23 mile?

I quote...

Nice place to start ASiemers. What qualifies as average seems to float about a bit and depending on the time of season. My bets:

Div 1: 4:05-4:10

Div 2: 4:10-4:15

Div 3: 4:15-4:20

Juco same as Div 3.

Scott, looks to me like you included a 4:20 1500 as 'average.'

A 4:20 1500 meter time sucks. End of story. There's nothing average about it. And if you disagree, you've never broken 4:20.

Average? wrote:

I quote...

Nice place to start ASiemers. What qualifies as average seems to float about a bit and depending on the time of season. My bets:

Div 1: 4:05-4:10

Div 2: 4:10-4:15

Div 3: 4:15-4:20

Juco same as Div 3.

Scott, looks to me like you included a 4:20 1500 as 'average.'

A 4:20 1500 meter time sucks. End of story. There's nothing average about it. And if you disagree, you've never broken 4:20.

Thanks for reproducing my comments. As I said, yes, I placed 4:20 at the upper end of my estimate for an average time for Div 3 men. I really don't know what the average is. I'd welcome some help...maybe you can come up w/the average? As per 4:20 as an average sucking...well, friend, that'd be your opinion and I want no part of it.

Although I've run substantially below 4:20 for 1500m, that doesn't mean I disagree w/you. I feel confident in my estimates however and would stand by them unless proven wrong.

Scott S, I in know way ever wish to discourage anyone, but clearly, by my standards a collegiate 4:23 mile is below average.

Without knowing particulars, it is impossible to say whether or not it is a 4:23 with great potential to improve to good/excellent or not. For instance, poor coaching, poor discipline (or priority setting - like wanting to do well in school - jk) on the part of the athlete, or being in a program with lacking motivation towards improvement (stagnant) could mean a person's 4:23 has a LOT of room for improvement. So, I would not change any mileing aspirations just because anyone thinks a collegiate 4:23 is below average. Running, in any event, is primarily an individual accomplishment... you want to see what you can do.

In short, running collegiatly puts just about anyone in the upper spectrum of the general running populace. So, overall, your 4:23 is way above average. Good luck in taking down your PR(s) as I take down mine (smile).

Ok...here are some results from the overflow Mt. Sac meet Pomona Pitzer. Depending on what your definition is of "average" we will assume two values. 1) 50% as average as goverment agencies, SAT stats, etc. consider as such. We will also use the 70% (top 30%) most schools use as a passing figure in classes. In this race the results were as follows:

first place:

1 Brandon Strong Arizona State 3:41.42

last place:

85 Michael Boedikker Caltech 5:54.36

the median places then would be (for 50%) 42nd place:

42 Tod Fisher-Kirshner UC San Diego 4:07.45

the average time would be 4:47

For "Average" considered as a passing grade:

Median place:

25 Peter Magill So Cal TC 3:59.82

By the way, my PR is "Average" 3:59.6...I just have nothing to do and am a complete loser.