How good is 5K in 25 minutes?
If you're an intermediate runner, you can expect to run a 5k in between 23 to 29 minutes. If you're an advanced runner, you can expect to run a 5k in between 20 to 25 minutes. If you're an elite runner, you can expect to run a 5k in between 18 to 22 minutes.
At an intermediate level, a good 5k time for men is around 22 or 23 minutes. For women, it is slightly higher, with an average of 26 minutes.
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.
Studies across the board show that running for just 15-30 minutes will kick-start your metabolism and burn some serious fat, both during and after the exercise itself.
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.
You're not alone; running 3.1 miles without stopping is an impressive feat. The good news is that barring certain musculoskeletal injuries, with proper training, you can absolutely do it. No matter where you are in your fitness journey, and no matter what size and shape you are, a 5K is totally doable.
But all in all, most beginners can complete a 5K in 30 to 40 minutes, and most newbies are pretty satisfied if their finish time is around this benchmark. A very good finish time for a beginner is anything under 25 minutes, which means maintaining an 8-minute-mile pace throughout the event.
So, how hard is it to run a sub 20 5k? Regardless of fitness level, experience, gender, age, or any other factor, to run the 3.1 miles under 20 minutes, you'll need to be able to run under target race of 6:25 minutes per mile for the whole distance—or roughly 4 minutes per kilometer.
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.
5 days of running, 2 rest days. This eight-week plan is designed for runners who want to finish a 5K in 25 minutes, or an average pace of 8:02 per mile. It features five days of running per week, including easy runs, tempo runs, and intervals, plus long runs of six to 11 miles.
What pace is a 26 minute 5k?
A 26 minute 5k requires you to run at a target race pace of just under 8:20 minutes per mile pace for 3.1 miles (5:12 per kilometre).
- Add a variety of interval training. Often, people who are new to running know only one thing – to simply run. ...
- Start doing some hill work. Running uphill will make you a faster and stronger runner. ...
- Do shorter races. ...
- Be on top of your mental game.

What is runner's face? If you haven't heard the term, you've likely seen it. It is the face of a lifelong runner with leathery, saggy skin and a gaunt appearance. It is the result of lots of sun exposure and little body fat.
Age Group | Men | Women |
---|---|---|
20 to 24 | 29:27 | 36:22 |
25 to 29 | 31:09 | 36:16 |
30 to 34 | 31:27 | 38:41 |
35 to 39 | 33:44 | 37:21 |
If you can tell a long story while running then you are running at a sufficiently slow pace. If you can speak a sentence or two then you are running closer to a steady-state pace. If you can only get out a few words at a time then you are running more at a tempo pace.
Calories Based on Step Count
For example, a 160-pound person who is 5' 4" tall would burn about 181 calories walking 5000 steps. But a taller person (5' 10 tall) who weighs the same amount would burn 198 calories walking the same number of steps.
Running is the winner for most calories burned per hour. Stationary bicycling, jogging, and swimming are excellent options as well. HIIT exercises are also great for burning calories. After a HIIT workout, your body will continue to burn calories for up to 24 hours.
Running is an excellent form of exercise for weight loss. It burns a lot of calories, may help you continue to burn calories long after a workout, may help suppress appetite and targets harmful belly fat. What's more, running has many other benefits for your health and is simple to begin.
Many people take up running as a healthy way to burn calories and lose weight. The good news is that running 5k every day has the potential to help you lose weight or maintain a healthy weight, provided you are eating an appropriate number of calories and a nutritious diet.
Running about 15 to 20 miles a week provides optimal health benefits, O'Keefe said. Or walking can provide benefits, from 2 miles a day to as much as 40 miles a week.
Does running 5K get easier?
Trust that running will get a little easier, over time.
Like anything else, the more you do a certain activity, the more your body gets accustomed to it. Running consistently means that at some point you'll probably start to know what to expect, at least in a physical sense.
With an average finish time of 20 to 30 minutes, the 5k is perfect for testing an athlete's pace, endurance and mental toughness. Once completed, many coaches and training plans use the best 5k time to set training zones for longer distances. “If you want to run faster in training, run faster on race day”.
Running a 5k in 22 minutes is an appropriate goal if you've run a 5k in 24 minutes or faster. If you have yet to run fairly close to this time, you might want to start with running 5k in 25 minutes. You should also be able to run one mile in 7 minutes, as this will be your race pace for 5k in 22 minutes. What is this?
The best way to breathe while running is to inhale and exhale using both your nose and mouth combined. Breathing through both the mouth and the nose will keep your breathing steady and engage your diaphragm for maximum oxygen intake. It also allows you to expel carbon dioxide quickly.
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.
So, how hard is it to run a sub 20 5k? Regardless of fitness level, experience, gender, age, or any other factor, to run the 3.1 miles under 20 minutes, you'll need to be able to run under target race of 6:25 minutes per mile for the whole distance—or roughly 4 minutes per kilometer.
If you can run sub 25 minutes for 5 miles. You are on the verge of national class runner.
Whether you're an experienced runner with several marathons or half-marathons under your belt, or you are pretty new to the running game, running a 5k in 20 minutes is an achievable goal.
References
- https://www.runningfastr.com/5k-training-plan/26-minute-5k-training-plan/
- https://flipbelt.com/blogs/flipbelt/breathing-running
- https://ukfitnessevents.co.uk/running/calories-burnt-running-a-5k/
- https://marathonhandbook.com/running-5k-every-day/
- https://www.runnersblueprint.com/sub-20-5k/
- https://www.verywellfit.com/walking-calories-and-distance-calculators-3432711
- https://www.runwithcaroline.com/5k-in-under-25-minutes-training-plan/
- https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/average-5k-time
- https://www.runnersblueprint.com/what-is-a-good-5k-time-for-a-beginner/
- https://marathonhandbook.com/how-to-run-5k-in-22-minutes/
- https://medium.com/runners-life/how-slow-is-slow-7431bb7cc029
- https://www.miamiherald.com/living/article1962139.html
- https://www.letsdothis.com/blog/benefits-of-running/
- https://aaptiv.com/magazine/does-running-get-easier
- https://medium.com/runners-life/how-knowing-the-time-required-for-a-run-helps-8188298f571d
- https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/running-for-weight-loss
- https://marathonhandbook.com/how-long-does-it-take-to-run-a-5k/
- https://agegrouper.us/how-to-run-your-next-5k-under-20-minutes/
- https://www.themotherrunners.com/how-to-avoid-runners-face/
- https://www.runnersworld.com/training/a20831358/break-25-minutes-5k-plan/
- https://www.womensrunning.com/training/beginner/what-is-a-5k-running/
- https://www.healthline.com/health/what-exercise-burns-the-most-calories
- https://vitesserunning.com/how-to-improve-your-5k-time/
- https://www.quora.com/How-good-is-running-5-miles-under-in-25-minutes-compared-to-top-athletes
- https://marathonhandbook.com/how-to-run-5k-in-20-minutes/
- https://revelsports.com/good-5k-times/