Running - getting an accurate time

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I started the C25K about 6 months ago and amazingly have stuck with running! I usually run 3x a week, and run 5k each time. I have always used my fitbit charge to track my pace etc, but I dont have my phone on me usually so it doesnt link to gps. According to the fitbit, I run 5k in around 33 mins. However out of curiosity I have started taking my phone out with me and using MapmyRun or Strava to compare (starting fitbit at the same time as the run on the app).According to those, I'm running 5k in 29 mins. Which is quite a big difference! I really want to get an accurate time, just for my own satisfaction really! I can't do a parkrun to compare at the moment obviously. I know I could just choose one and aim to improve whatever that says my time is, but I also want to know if I'm doing 'well' or not IYSWIM? How do you get accurate times???

I use MapMyRun and a friend uses Strava. I finished 4 minutes ahead of her but her Strava said she took less time than me to run the 5k we were doing at the time.

I don’t know the answer but according to Strava I positively sprint round my 5ks (which I def don’t). I just stick to one measuring system then try to improve on time and distance doing Strava - at least it’s consistently not accurate and shows improvement in my running.

I found mapmyrun more generous than my Garmin watch by several minutes and Fitbit wildly inaccurate.
Why not get yourself a garmin gps watch which can sync to strava too? Mine has been generally very reliable so I can properly compare runs.
Well done on completing C25k and great speed whether its 33 or 29 mins

Thanks for the replies! Obviously I want the strava result to be accurate . Yes I've heard good things about Garmin watches, that might have to be a Christmas present to myself

GPS watches are far more accurate than phone apps. I recently did a challenge that had to be registered on runkeeper and had to run 10.6k to complete 10k. My watch consistently runs sensibly against race distances, whereas apps are affected by phone signal. Before my watch, I once apparently ran a 3min mile while waiting to cross at a busy crossroads. I often had idiosyncracies there and think it must be a point where different phone masts overlap as it showed me zigzagging back and forth. A watch has a direct GPS signal.

Phones in general and strava in particular on a phone are less accurate than a watch. Using strava on my phone recently (watch broke) my phone massively over estimated distance ran.

My Garmin watch. very occasionally goes a bit off if I’m under cover (tunnel, loads of trees) but otherwise it’s always spot on.

Garmin. Every time! Plenty of the forerunners for sale second hand if budget is an issue, which is a great first watch.

Strava has some weird algorithm where it tells you moving time not elapsed time. You can fix it by editing your Strava activity and changing the activity type to "RACE".

I know this because I sometimes forget and then I get loads of comments from people impressed at my 7 min/mile pace when my true speed is that of a turtle stampeding through peanut butter

PS Strava does this even when I sync my GPS watch with it!

Thanks for all the info. Looks like I'm going to have to get a Garmin! Do you reckon the cheaper ones are worth it or is that a false economy? There seems to be quid a range. I would rather not spend more than 100-150 max.

quite

You need something with GPS. So Strava on your phone or even better a Garmin. I have the 235 forerunner and love it.

Ah I loved my 235, upgraded to a fenix 5 and nowhere near as good!

On one of the many times my fenix 5 has been sent back I used the garmin 45 and it was good, only downside I found was it took a while to pick up gps but could just be my area. Great entry level garmin that looks nice enough to wear all the time.

I have a garmin 45 and it works great for run tracking. Its clunky looking and can't track swims, but does the job and has excellent battery life.

I love my Garmin 235. It's reliable and not at all glitchy, whereas friends who've used Suunto or Apple watches seem to have no end of issues.

I use strava and Fitbit both at the same time and Fitbit without fail always tracks 200m longer in the same time. Not so much of a problem over a 15km slow jog but if you're aiming for 5km pbs, it makes a difference