If you can run 5k how long does it take you and do you stop/walk inbetween?

[VladmirsPoutine]

A scientific survey, I know, but I've recently set myself a goal to run 5k without stopping and wonder how long on average it should take or it takes you? I'm not training for any particular event so it's more of a fitness target for myself.

15 minutes something isn't at all unusual at the fastest parkruns. In fact all of the fastest last weekend and two weeks ago were in the 14s or 15s.

www.fastrunning.com/events-and-races/parkrun/10-fastest-uk-parkrun-times-on-1st-october-2022/34949

www.fastrunning.com/events-and-races/parkrun/10-fastest-uk-parkrun-times-on-8th-october-2022/34983

I was constantly running 3km during lockdown and sometimes did 5km

it takes me ages, but I do it 40 minutes, possibly a tad under - but it’s a jog and helped me immensely. I’d rather cycle and am happy with endurance, 100 miles will take me 8 hrs riding

I started a couch to 5k about 3 months ago and am 47. Finished it and continuing to run for half an hour 3 times a week but seem to have gotten slower! Did the 5k in 30 mins in week 8 and week 9 (no stopping either). I LOVE it and really find it calms my mind down so much. Have started the 5k to 10k this week

From Kipchoge's recent Berlin marathon win: "Did you know that Eliud Kipchoge's average pace at his recent Berlin Marathon win would've set a new course record (14:21) at 1,875 of the 1,890 parkruns globally (over 99%)? AND, his best 5km pace would have set a new course record (14:08) at 1,887 of the 1,890 parkruns globally!"

But thankfully it's not all about speed - October is actually a month where parkruns are encouraging people to come along and walk, so you don't even need to do any running to take part in parkrun. We usually have a few people who walk the whole thing at ours.

I'm marshalling this Saturday so don't need to get my running shoes on, just a pink hi-viz.

@Octomore thank you.
I think I've put the treadmill to 4.3 so guessing that's too fast for a beginner. Will reduce it and see how I go. I am overweight and very new to gym and losing weight so I can't seem to do much which makes me mad.

I take 30 min to run without a pause

But I usually end up dancing to my running music so probably 40 mins 😳

I feel my happiest when exercising

@noproblemlove Have you tried the NHS C25K app? I've used it twice to get back into running, it's brilliant. You might find it easier to run outdoors rather than on a treadmill. I loathe indoor running as it's hard to change pace. I'm at least 3 stone overweight, but I've just run a 10k race in 67 minutes. It's absolutely doable, it just takes time and going slow, really slow. Once you get up to running the whole 5k without stopping you can start thinking about how to up your pace.

I'm relatively fit, but running is my bete noire, and despite regularly running for about 20 years, off and on, I've never particularly enjoyed it (I do it because it's an efficient way of knocking out some exercise). I don't get out that often, maybe once a fortnight, and (including warm up), can usually get 5k done in about 35 mins - it's been faster and slower over the years, but getting under 30 mins has been largely out of reach for me.

What I do like is the notion that I can do it, and I love going for a run when on holiday, waking up early and exploring the area.

I decided to try a non stop run at parkrun this morning (I'm working my way up through C25K and am about a week off the continuous runs). A little under 28 minutes, no walk breaks 😀

That's fantastic!!

@CirreltheSquirrel wow well done that's brilliant🥳🥳

That's a fantastic time @CirreltheSquirrel - well done!

The only man I know who does 16 mins at park runs runs six days a week, does the park run as the middle of a longer run, and his whole family have marathon times under 3h (and I think under 2h45 for all the men).

I think you have to be a pretty serious hobby runner to get that sort of time.

23mins no stopping

I'm very slow - about 40 minutes, without stopping. But I'm getting better and I don't mind being slow :)

@soupmaker thank you. I will download the app and see if I can manage that first. 😉

I'm just into running this year and coming in near the back of my local parkrun at 33 mins. Getting bit better & can run the full distance now which inc.udes a hill 4 times but would love to get to 30 miss. I'm in my late 50s. Cycling & swimming are really my sports - much kinder on the joints.

Wouldn't it be more realistic for you to check what an average time for your age group and sex is, if you're aiming for a particular time?

My PB is 22:11 without stopping, but I've been running for quite some time now. Parkrun average is around 23 something depending on the course and where I am at the start.