How long does it take for you to run 5k?

[fandabbydozier]

I've just completed the couch to 5k challenge (totally recommend it by the way) and now I'm running 5k three times a week. I'm thinking about entering a park run or similar but want to wait until I can run in an acceptable time for 5k. I don't want to come last! So what is a reasonable time? I'm not talking super fit, athlete type running but just a good time for a 40 something woman.

[MrsJamesFraser]

Well done you for getting out there!! Parkun will help with your running and keep you encouraged, even if you think you will be last - please go! You will get a cheer over the line and I bet you won't be last the following week :)
For peace of mind you can your local park run results and that will give you an indication of what the times are.

[NattyGolfJerkin]

Your local park run will probably have a website with the times for the most recent 'race' posted (though I don't think of park run as a race, really). My local one has people taking 50+ mins, it's more about the social aspect/support than racing. There are a few club runners who do it fast but they are rare, most are between 30 and 40 mins.

[yeOldeTrout]

The times of everyone at your local parkrun will be on line, you can look them all up. Usually about 3/4 of people are in by 35 minutes (at my local runs).

[Laodicean]

I am a similar age and am trying to speed up my time for similar reasons!

I was taking 42 minutes, but have just done just over 5k in just under 36 minutes- getting there...

I downloaded a training plan for a sub-30 minute (haha!) 5k, and that has taken me back to some walk/run stuff, it really has improved my time.

Has taken ten minutes off my efforts to run 10k too.

I know everyone says it doesn't matter if you're slow, but I do want to be a bit faster!

[ErrolTheDragon]

I'm only just finished week 5 of c25k but I know that I'm slow - so watching this with some interest.
Laodicean, could you link to that speed-up training plan please? The walk/run stuff does seem like it would be helpful rather than continuous plodding (and maybe better for 55 yo joints?!)

[GinIsIn]

My regular 5k route would take between 26 and 33 mins depending if the traffic lights were in my favour - anything around 30 mins is fine I think!

[User543212345]

There's a certain honour in coming last and you shouldn't be concerned about doing so. Organisations like parkrun are very much based on inclusion rather than focussing on performance - that's not to say there aren't super fast people using it for their training needs, it's just that everyone is as important as each other person there.

I find walk/run is the only way to run - I got my half marathon time from 2:30+ to 1:58 using walk/run schedules and lots of cross training. When I (rarely) run parkrun I'm normally mid pack in 26 minutes or so - there are lots of people from 22 mins to about 35 minutes. Really though any time you run is an acceptable time. And you know that the first time you do it you'll be guaranteed a PB which is a great achievement!

[CreamTeaFor4]

Slowly doing the C25K again after a break a couple of years and I used to run 5K around 35 mins (I was late thirties/early forties)

Well done for doing it, I've been told that fartleks (tempo training?) are the way to go to increase speed and quicken your time. Bloody hard though!

[DuggeesPoncho]

I know parkrun is free, but...

[Mirandawest]

I'm doing couch to 5k at the moment. Haven't gone as far as 5k yet (am up to week 8 with 28 min run). If I went 5k at the pace I did my most recent 28 min run then it would take me 33 min 20 seconds. I am 41 - I have done about 28 min for 5k about 3 years ago so am hoping to get down to 30 min at some point

[ShotsFired]

I can't run 5k (have done courses and 52k) and the last time I did it was 2nd to DFL (dead fucking last), only in front of a man who'd had knee surgery. Was best part of 45-60mins I think.

And that was with a whole bloody chorus of every other bugger people cheering me on, which was ghastly. I felt like a total idiot.

Needless to say, have never gone back.

[ShotsFired]

(I also apparently cannot type when I am feeling bitter and twisted - so many mistakes in prev post!)

[TheNaze73]

Some brilliant ongoing training going on, all to be applauded. I would say OP & without sounding woolly, that doing your best, week by week should be your goal rather than aiming for say 25 minutes.
Good luck

[Laodicean]

Errol it's on my Runkeeper app.

Sometimes I just set the Runkeeper to run for, say, four minutes, walk for one so it tells me when to change- no lampposts round here 😊

[GreatPointIAgreeWithYouTotally]

Just have a try OP, whatever your time you'll have fun and meet new people. If it's a slow time you can enjoy knocking minutes off it for your first year at least.

After a few years running I'm down to 22 mins, but I'm getting older at 47, so may not ever make 21. I use the age grading system (you just click on results by age grade) which means you can compare against others of your age group.

[ErrolTheDragon]

Thank, laod. I'd not heard of that app but being able to set intervals like that sounds useful.

[feetheart]

Don't wait until you are running an 'acceptable time', all times are acceptable at parkrun, from the under 18 minute whippets to the walkers who take over an hour.
At our parkrun we have such a range of ages and abilities, from the 10 year olds who beat their parents thanks DS, the walker in his 70s who comes in well ahead of a third of the runners, the mum with the buggy who has been the first female finisher, the older couple who walk round hand-in-hand and many, many more.
We always have a tail runner so you will never come last and, as people have said, if you start off with a slower time you have the challenge , and joy, of beating it in the future :)

Go on, give it a go, you will probably never look back.

[fandabbydozier]

Thanks everyone for your responses. I'm averaging 31-33 minutes at the mo so not doing too bad. I'm hoping to get to a point where I regularly run under 30 minutes. Then maybe work towards a 10k I know marathons aren't for me but it would be good to run just that bit further without collapsing in a sweaty heap. Well done all of you doing the couch to 5k. I really didn't think I'd be able to do it. Each week I'd look ahead and think 'how on earth will I do that?' Somehow I did it, I'm sure you all will too!

[Cluesue]

I used to do it in 33 minutes would probably not be able to get that far now I've piled weight on and stopped running

[feetheart]

fandabbydozier - get thee to parkrun now :o
With that time you would be about halfway up the field at our parkrun of 200 runners. The buzz of running with other people will get you under 30 minutes in no time.

[ClaudiaApfelstrudel]

anything below 6 mins per km for a 40 year old is good going

[LemonBreeland]

If you are under 35 minutes then that is good. At my fastest I could only do it in 34 minutes, and a very flat run. I average nearer 40.

[crayfish]

I'm 36 and my parkrun PB is 24 minutes but I am more regularly around the 27-29 minute mark. For myself I am happy with anything under 30 minutes to be honest, I think that's a decent time for somebody who isn't a seasoned runner.

[crayfish]

Oh and I've done 5 10ks this year, it's actually much easier to make the leap from 5k to 10k than you think. Yes you need to up your distance gradually but generally if you are fit enough to run 5k then you will be fit enough to run 10k. Good luck!

[tootsietoo]

Just get to the Parkrun! They have totally inspired my non-running family, they are such a great thing. When I finished C25K I was pretty fit and managed a 27 minutes, probably more like 31 minutes now. DH is about 19 stone, and started off doing it in 40 minutes and he wasn't last. He's now down to about 34 minutes and definitely not last. The DDs (8 and 10) doing it in 30-35 minutes.