Is 23 min a good 5K time?
Rachel Ellis
Published Jan 21, 2026
As you can see, most of the average runners run 5K in a 25 to 35 mins range. Less than 17 mins: These are exceptional runners. Some of the best athletes and regular runners can run 5K in less than 17 mins.
What pace is a 23 minute 5K?
For example, if you're targeting sub-23 minutes for a 5K, you can easily see that you'll need to run 7:24 per mile or faster according to the chart below.
What's a respectable 5K time?
Everyday runners can aim to complete a mile in about 9 to 12 minutes. This means you'll finish a 5K in about 28 to 37 minutes. Walkers can expect to complete a mile in about 15 to 20 minutes. Walking at a brisk pace should enable you to finish a 5K at around the hour mark.
Is a sub 20 5K good?
Anything under 30 minutes is a good 5K finish time for most recreational runners. But for those seeking to challenge themselves and reach their full running potential, joining the sun 20 minutes 5K club is a true accomplishment.
Is 22 minutes good for a 5k?
A 22 min 5k is a 7:25 min pace, which requires better than avg speed. Avg speed for a local runner is about 8:00 - 9:00 min pace, and most 6min and 7min milers do their easy runs at that pace. You would probably burn hard trying to go for a 27 min 5k, which would require you to run at a 9 min pace.
30 related questions foundIs 5k in 21 minutes good?
For more experienced runners, running blogs and websites suggest an average 8-minute-per-mile pace, resulting in a finish time of about 26 minutes. Very advanced runners may be able to complete a 5K in less than 20 minutes.
Is running a 5K in 24 minutes good?
As you can see, most of the average runners run 5K in a 25 to 35 mins range. Less than 17 mins: These are exceptional runners. Some of the best athletes and regular runners can run 5K in less than 17 mins. The world record is about 12:37 and you can imagine how hard that would be to improve each second.
Is 25 min a good 5K time?
There's no hard and fast rule about who should aim for a 25 minute 5K, but a 25-minute goal is reasonable for runners who have raced a 5K in 30 minutes or less and have been running regularly for at least a year.
Is it OK to run 5K every day?
Running a 5K every day can be a great way to improve your cardiovascular health, strengthen and maintain your muscles and keep yourself sane while you're stuck at home, as long as you're not brand-new to running. Plus, when paired with a healthy diet, it may even help you lose weight.
How many calories does a 5K run burn?
On average a 5K run will burn between 300 and 400 calories (around 100 calories per mile), but if you are looking to work out the rate that you personally burn calories when running a 5K, you will need to take a few factors into consideration.
What is the fastest high school 5K time?
The all-time U.S. high school 5K record is owned by Dathan Ritzenhein of Rockford, Mich., at 14:10.40, set in 2000.
Is 5K a long run?
A 5K race is 5 kilometers or 3.1 miles long and is a favorite among new and experienced runners alike.
Is 5k in 19 minutes good?
So what is a good 5k time? If we're just generalizing, then anywhere from 13 to 19 minutes is a good time to be considered amongst the fastest runners.
What is a good 5k time for a 14 year old?
According to Letsrun posters, about 14:30 is the cutoff for being good as a 14 year old. But if you run that fast, you're considered to either be lying about your age, too physically mature and will never improve, or a drug cheat.
How do I break a 25 minute 5k?
If you can run 8 minutes per mile for 5k then you'll make 24:51. If you can get to a running track, then it's also conveniently 2 minutes per lap (ok, I'll admit, 1:59). Still, 2 mins per lap will get you to 5k in exactly 25 minutes — all you need is to find a second or 2 in the last 50m to sneak under.
How hard is sub 25 5k?
In order to be able to run a 5k in under 25 minutes, you need to be running at a pace of 8:03 minutes per mile / 5 minutes per km. This may sound unachievable to you right now, but with the right training and mindset, you will be able to improve your pace.
How do I get a 22 minute 5k?
To run a sub 22 minute 5k you will need to be able to run at a target race pace of 7:00 minutes per mile pace for the full 3.1 mile distance. That converts to 4:22 per kilometre.
Is running a 5K in 18 minutes good?
18:00 5k is very fast for most people, even with maximal training. Some high school kids and adults can hit 18 minutes on under 20 miles per week of running.
Is running 5km difficult?
A 5K run is a great distance for a beginner. You can prepare for a 5K run in just two months. If you don't think a 5K seems possible or you don't think you have enough time or energy, this 5K schedule may help you. It includes several short sessions during the week of only about 30 minutes each.
How do you break a 21 minute 5K?
You would need to average 6:25 pace per mile. Technically, that means the fastest pace you need to be able to run is 6:20 per mile. If you're currently a 21-minute 5k runner, I have little doubt you can run one 6:20 mile, actually, you're probably capable of running a mile close to sub 6 minutes!
How do I break a 20 minute 5k?
- If you want to run a 5k in 20 minutes your body needs to get comfortable running at a speed of 4 minutes/km – or 6 minutes 26 seconds/ mile.
- Your target 3k pace should be 3.50 minutes/km (6.08 minutes/mile) or 92 seconds per 400m.
- To put it simply, tempo runs teach your body to run faster before fatiguing.
Are longer runs better?
The short answer: Train for distance first. It's better for you to start by building an endurance base. That means that you increase your aerobic capacity first. You increase your mileage so that longer runs are more comfortable.
Do long runs make you faster?
Running for prolonged periods increases the strength of the leg muscles and connective tissues, but also those of the respiratory system (including the diaphragm and core region). Makes you faster! Yes, with more endurance you'll be able to hold a certain pace for a longer period of time.