Can an average guy run sub 3:10 in the marathon?

Of course. It sounds like you're asking can YOU run 7:15s in a marathon, we'd need to know more.

What is your current 5K? You'd probably need something under 19 minutes to realistically have a shot. How are going to do 7:15s for 3 hours+ if you can't hold 6 min/miles for 19 minutes?

Your height/weight, racing history, injury history, current weekly mileage totals are all factors.

If I were you I'd focus on speed work and getting your weekly mileage up. And your weight down, if need be.

But it's "easy" for every day hobby joggers to get under 3. Just takes years of consistent, injury-free effort.

No.

Run a 3:10? No. The average guy properly trained would probably need to slow down to a jog or walk for portions to get close to 3:10.

I ran 12 marathons. My best 3 times were:

3:07:57

3:09:58

3:13:26

Always ran by myself, just fowing plans I found on the internet/magazines.... Answering your question, I believe so.

I think an average guy can run 2:45-2:55 if they were well trained.

As always, LRC is overestimating the average guy’s running ability.

Charlesvdw wrote:

As always, LRC is overestimating the average guy’s running ability.

Not really. Average people usually underestimate their own potential especially if they started at an older age.

I did and I'm totally average. Didn't run in HS or college. I'm 36 and also a dude. Here's progression:

2014 - 5k in 22:50 (remember huffing and puffing at the end, probably 15 lbs overweight). 10-15MPW.

2015 - 1:42HM (first one I've ever done). 15-20MPW. No workouts, all easy running.

2016 - 1:40HM. 15-20MPW. All easy running.

2017 - 1:37HM; 3:40 Marathon (Chicago), 25-30 MPW during marathon cycle.

2018 - 3:32 Marathon, 25-30MPW, started increasing mileage that summer after the marathon and did 1:28HM with about 40MPW, a bit of speedwork. Started losing some weight.

2019 - 3:08 Marathon, spent a good 8 months working up to consistent 50MPW. Started eating healthier and cutting alcohol. Did two workouts per week during marathon training. Dropped about 10lbs. Had an injury that knocked me out of running for about 3 weeks about 1.5months before race and was still a bit injured come race day. Think I could've gone a bit faster but goal was to play it conservatively, negative split and build some confidence for a sub 3 (hopefully). Running HM in 3 weeks. Goal is 1:26:XX.

Probably closer to 2:30, If they actually trained properly.

I've posted this before:

2001 (age 24, Chicago) - 5:05 (11:39/mile)

2002 (age 25, Chicago) - 4:54 (11:15/mile)

2003 (age 26, Chicago) - 4:33 (10:25/mile)

2004 (age 27, Chicago) - 4:22 (10:00/mile)

2016 (age 39, Indianapolis) - 3:40 (8:23/mile)

2017 (age 40, Indianapolis) - 3:17 (7:32/mile)

2018 (age 41, Kalamazoo) - 3:17 (7:32/mile)

2018 (age 41, Milwaukee) - 3:09 (7:14/mile)

So ... yes.

Oh, and I did not "cut alcohol," like the other guy. LOL.

IndyJ wrote:

Oh, and I did not "cut alcohol," like the other guy. LOL.

Guess you should've...looks like I'm faster ;o)

I would guess than an average male under age 35 with no physical impairments in the middle (or below) of the normal BMI scale that could run 70 miles a week for a year without getting injured could run a 3:10 marathon.

LebanonHills wrote:

IndyJ wrote:

Oh, and I did not "cut alcohol," like the other guy. LOL.

Guess you should've...looks like I'm faster ;o)

Wild Turkey Rare Breed is so worth the one minute. :)

Average Joe bro wrote:

Serious question but can any average guy trained right run sub 3:10?

The average in the US is around 4:10 or 4:22 depending who you quote.

So a 3:10 Marathon is above average.

But I always thought I was an average runner when I ran 3:07.

Can you do it? We don't know your specifics. Age, weight, training so far...

But I don't think it is impossible.

The average guy is fat as all hell. He's sloppy, undisciplined, and unmotivated.

Yes, he can run 3:10, but its going to take years of disciplined and hard training.

I personally don't think there's anything all that genetically special about a 2:10 marathoner for that matter. The vast majority of people will have to make too many sacrifices, with almost no rewards along the way, to put in the training to get there. I think that's the biggest separation.

Average 3:07 guy wrote:

Average Joe bro wrote:

Serious question but can any average guy trained right run sub 3:10?

The average in the US is around 4:10 or 4:22 depending who you quote.

So a 3:10 Marathon is above average.

GTFO for misinterpreting the question.

The question isn't DOES the average guy run 3:10 in the marathon. The question is CAN the average guy run 3:10.

There's always someone who can't tell the difference. GTFO!!!

Average Joe bro wrote:

Serious question but can any average guy trained right run sub 3:10?

The average guy could run a marathon in 4-5 hours.

3:10 is a faster guy

2:45 is a guy running 70+ miles per week peak

2:30 is dedication

2:20 is a life dedicated to running

2:10 is a life dedicated to running along with genetics diet and coaching

2:05 is one in a 100 million

Rojo's response to the 1/100 million for the 2:05.

Unless your Kalenjin. I think there are only 5 million Kalenjin in the world.

47 Kenyans have broken 205 or faster in the marathon. I'm going to say 75% of them are Kalenjin. Anyone know if it that's a good guess?

That would mean roughly 35 Kalenjins have done it.

So one in 1/142,857 Kalenjins can go sub-2:05 but that includes females so roughly 1 / 71,400 males Kalenjins can do it.

World wide your numbers are way off as well.

There are 7.7 billion people in the world. Divide that in half and we get 3.85 billion men. 97 men in world history have broken 206.

So that means 1/39,690,721 men.

So its' basically 1 in 40 million overall not 100 million.

The Kalenjin are 555 times better at it than average.

No. 4 hours maybe with proper training.