How fast can you run 5K in?

[sweetkitty]

I completed c25k 2 weeks ago, never got to 5k with it as the longest you run is 30mins.

I've kept going and can run 5k just under 40mins.

Have no one to compare it against so what's average?

Asked DP but he can run 10k in 40 mins

Well, it depends on age, fitness, terrain, weather ... my best is a smidge under 25 min on a flat tarmac path.

I do 5k in around 26 minutes but that's partly because I usually run 8-9k so like to pace myself. If I was only running 5k then I would try to do it in a maximum of 25 minutes. My husband can manage it in around 23 minutes but he has always been faster than me.

My fastest time was 34 minutes. I started a thread about 5k times as I felt mine was really slow. Loads of people posted to say that running 5k in any time at all is a huge achievement and to be very proud. So well done OP!

I did a 10k Race for Life at the weekend and did it in an hour so assume it takes me 30 mins to do 5k although that's not very scientific as maybe I ran faster for the first half hour but I did pace myself carefully.

Just keep at it and you will find you improve your time .

I agree that any time at all is a huge achievement!

I can't get it down to 30 minutes. I run it at about 34. But it is very hilly! I'm hoping to get faster as I've signed up for a half marathon in October and don't want to hold my brother up!

Asleep: have you done any training with your brother? You might find that he isn't as fast as you think over longer distances.

When I wanted to increase my speed and distance I worked on the distance first. Once I was comfortable running the desired distance I increased my speed a little each week but covered the same distance. I used thegoodrunguide to map out my route and calculate my distances and then decided what time I was going to run the route in and timed myself from start to finish.

Thanks, impatient. I'm aiming to increase my distances now and not think so much about speed. I need to know I can run that far first! I have run with him on a few occasions and he's slowish but has great stamina and has done two HM already. He and my stepdad want to run with me.

My own DH, on the other hand, will be literally miles ahead! He won't be held back!

27 minutes (then barfed up a lung!)

Mine is just under 25 minutes. When I started running a decade ago it was just over 35 minutes. The 10 minutes difference have been hard work, and fun. Some people are just faster than others - DH does his 5k in under 18 minutes. It doesn't really matter because you can compete with yourself!

After I finished c25k I started going to parkrun, my first 5K was around 37/38mins. After a while I got it down to 33mins but I've had a huge break and trying to get back into it again.

I usually finish parkrun between 29 and 31 minutes and I am towards the back but in no danger of being last.

Thanks for the replies, all running I've done on a treadmill mainly because I can run when the DCs are around playing. Once the dog is a bit older I'll start running with her.

I'm increasing the treadmill speed by 0.1 each run :)

Just can't get my sub 30

Keep trying but I'm no good at speed. Stuck at 34 mins with 32.51 being best so far

I was the same with the 30min barrier till I went to some group sessions where we did intervals and stuff. It was fun to do over winter when the evenings were dark and I got (slightly) faster.

24 mins give or take a few secs, last tested it 6 months ago. Not a runner, hate it. My mile time is 7.15. I repeat, I hate it. Except for recovery, if weather perfect, etc, in the woods on my own

I attempted my first 5k parkrun on Saturday - walk/ran it in 46.37 - for someone who only walked on the treadmill before, I am impressed, and I reckon as time goes on, that number will get lower.

I've most recently managed to get it down to 23mins 30, but it has taken absolutely ages of 5k twice to three times a week.

I did C25K a couple of years ago and was doing about 42 mins at the end of it. Couldn't seem to improve on that so a couple of months later I did weeks 5 to 9 again and got it down to about 35 mins. I then had to give up due to injury. I'm 47 and several stones overweight BTW.

Just calculated this, and came up with 2 hours, maybe 3 if I stop for a drink and cake

I started parkrunning a few months back, and my time was 38 mins. The quickest I've done it so far is 32:15, and I'm desperate to get it under 30 mins but it feels nigh on impossible at the moment. Am considering some interval training to try and increase my speed.

But, as everyone else has said, just doing it is an achievement in itself.

I've been doing a running course and can manage 5k in 33 minutes now

Not sure if it's the same but I normally do it in about 25 mins on the cross trainer, probably nearer to 30 if I was actually running.

Oooh, about three days.