Average 5K time

The average 5K time

The median 5K finisher crosses the line in 34:37. For men the median is 31:28, for women 37:28. The median is the time half the field beats, and it is what people usually mean by the average finish time.

These figures come from RunRepeat’s analysis: 35 million race results collected over 20 years from more than 28,000 races. They count finishers only, and a race’s course, weather and time limit all move its own median, so the field at your race may be a little faster or slower.

What is a good 5K time?

It depends on who you compare yourself with, so here is the field itself:

• Under 20 min beats 97% of finishers: the top 3%.
• Under 25 min beats 90% of finishers: the top 10%.
• Under 30 min beats 72% of finishers: the top 28%.
• Under 35 min beats 48% of finishers: the top 52%.

A 5K is also the quickest way to find your training paces: put your time in the race time predictor and it gives your 10K, half and marathon equivalents.

Is 25 min a good 5K time?

Yes: 25 min is faster than 90% of all 5K finishers, 84% of men and 95% of women. It puts you in the top 10% of the field.

5K finish times by percentile

The time you need to be in each slice of the field. Top 10% means nine finishers in ten are slower.