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.

Aargh, would love to try a park run but none less than a ninety minute drive away 😢

My parkrun had a lot of very keen runners and not many slow ones so worth checking the results first. It was OK but my less fit friend was put right off. We haven't been back. Mind you 33 mins isn't slow.

Laodicean - I couldn't get to our closest parkrun, which was definitely not as far away as yours. I got involved in starting one in our town :)

fruitpastille - that's a real shame and it shouldn't be like that at all. Is there another one close enough to try?

I'm 49 and quite an experienced runner and have a similar 5k time to you. Many moons ago I could do it in about 18 and that was hell so my current time is much nicer. I am never last at parkrun unless I'm volunteering as the tail runner....

What is quite nice about a 30+ time is that quite a lot of the park runners going at that pace are long distance runners who enjoy a bit of a chat and some banter which the speedy guys at the front will never enjoy.

London I'm not sure about chat and banter, I'm still a long way from being able to chat and run at the same time!!
Had a slow run tonight, felt like I was going faster than before yet only 34 minutes. It's definitely much harder running after dark in colder weather. It's going to be a long winter, just hope I can keep up the 3x per week runs!

At my local parkrun there's a few guys (including DH ) who do it in 16-18 minutes. Then you get the faster club runners in next.
I'm usually in the first few women at 22ish mins. Majority of people do 25-35 mins, but there are several people coming in up to an hour. If you go to a big Parkrun there will be hundreds doing it in more than 30 mins.

Honestly, just give it a go. It's always so friendly and fun. Remember, too, that almost all the people up the front were slower once. I've knocked 9mins off my PB since I started.

42 years and counting

You don't need to chat yourself - just enjoy listening to everyone else

My parkrun pb is in at 28 mins something, but my usual 5k time is 35+ mins around my local area. I'm slowed down by roads or hills.

Parkrun is inclusive of a large range of times. 35 mins is a mainstream time and wouldn't result in keeping the tail runner company. I agree about different runs having their own range. The original course of my home run had two laps of a steep hill so novices were more attracted to a flatter parkrun a few miles away, leaving my home course with less bias to the slower end than others.

Just echoing the posters who are telling you your time is well within the pack OP. You won't be last. Go for it, and good luck!

On a going day about 23 mins.

Your time is fine!
I often tail run at parkrun and have found slowest runners at ours usually in the 45 minute marker.

Between 23 and 25 minutes but I would say local park run average for women is about 30.

I'm 41. Recent time of 21:50 on a fast flat route (seafront) and was a genuine all out effort.

That week the fastest runner was 16 mins (a woman- yay!!) and the last runner was just over an hour so huge variation. People who beat me included a 12 year old and a guy pushing a buggy

I can't usually do it as I live overseas and there's no Parkrun but I was so impressed with it. Lovely atmosphere.

I'm 41 and it takes me about 30 minutes - usually a fraction less later in the day, unless I've had a really tiring day, a bit more if it's first thing in the morning (I'd have expected it to be the other way round but perhaps I warm up through the day!) Sounds like you're doing about the same. I've never done a park run but I see them doing it and there seems to be a huge range of speeds - some faster and a lot slower than what I'd say is my pace - so I'm sure you'll be fine. Good luck!

I'm around 29-31 mins and nowhere near last.
Even pushing ds in the buggy I'm about 34-36 depending how cooperative he is and have never been last.

27-28 mins, I'm 44.

This is a fairly hilly route.

Lots of reasons why I can't run anymore chronic health condition and at my peak of running I had an accident which caused me to tear the ligament ankle to knee.

But this aside I have just started walking on a treadmill again and I'm not able to do it as quick as I used to but it is good for me!

I used to be able to do a 5k in about 23mins, but my first attempt was 32 and I was so proud of myself

Just get out there and do it! I really think it's about personal achievement

Right now for me doing 3k in an hour is a massive achievement, but I figure it's better to do what I can than sit on the sofa feeling sorry for myself.

Runningupthathill82 you're 82 and you're doing 22 minute 5km's That's good, and how old is your DH to be doing 16min, he must be some toy boy! Inspirational all round!

40 here, and my PB for 5km is 24 mins.

I'm over 50, getting to the final weeks of C25K and considering a Parkrun.

I can do 3 miles (which is as near as dammit 5K) in 30mins6 (by Runkeeper) in a flat/gently undulating park. The nearest Parkrun is a bit hillier, so I think I need to consolidate for a couple more weeks.

Haha, SirFred! Yep, DH does well for a fellow octogenarian