Poll voter
One of 'em wrote:
What do the masses say? And please keep in mind the difference between "respectable" and "good."
I'd say anything under 20 fits the bill for "respectable." At 80 percent of road races, that'll earn you an age-group award.
Good? Gotta go under 18:30, at least.
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As a 54 yr. old male, I'd say you are about right.
I ran under 16 until I was 41. then under 17 until 52. But, I have seen most respectable times in their 40's under 20. I think it's all relative. in other words, if you were a 14:20 guy in your 20's and stayed committed to training, even through marriage , kids etc, then you should easily be under 16 through your 30's and under 17 through most of your 40's.
But, if you are a guy in your 40's who never broke 16 in your life? Then under 20 min is actually a good effort. Maybe a great effort in some extreme weather or hard course races.