How does my running pace compare?
Pace is speed inverted, so a smaller number is faster. These are the paces that matter, from a first 5K to a world record.
1.11 × a club runner
5 min/km is slower than 5 of the 8 references on this page.
Reference figures are measurements and are rounded; the unit conversion behind them is exact.
| Reference | Size | Yours ÷ theirs | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 100 m world record | 1.6 min/km | 3.13× | Usain Bolt, 9.58 s |
| 1500 m world record | 2.29 min/km | 2.18× | |
| marathon world record | 2.86 min/km | 1.75× | 2:52 per km |
| sub-3-hour marathon | 4.27 min/km | 1.17× | 4:16 per km |
| club runner | 4.5 min/km | 1.11× | 4:30 per km |
| average parkrun | 6.2 min/km | 0.806× | 6:12 per km |
| beginner jog | 7 min/km | 0.714× | 7:00 per km |
| brisk walk | 12.5 min/km | 0.4× | 12:30 per km |
Worth knowing
- The marathon world record pace is 2:52 per kilometre held for 42 kilometres — faster than most club runners can hold for one.
- The average parkrun finish time worldwide is around 31 minutes for 5 km, or 6:12 per kilometre.
Frequently asked
What is a good running pace?
For a recreational runner, 6:00 per km is comfortably respectable and 5:00 per km is quick. Age and terrain move both numbers more than most people expect.
Why are lower pace numbers better?
Because pace is time per distance, the reciprocal of speed. Six minutes per kilometre is slower than five. The site handles the reciprocal exactly rather than by dividing floats.