What's a good 10k time?

jackieh5077

I am currently running 10k in about 1hr 20 mins (at around 5am before work). I'm aware this is slow and want to work on my time before I have a few 'official' runs coming up in October. Can you guys let me know how fast you do it/what you think is a good time so it can give me an idea of a good target.

Thomasm198

I am currently running 10k in about 1hr 20 mins (at around 5am before work). I'm aware this is slow and want to work on my time before I have a few 'official' runs coming up in October. Can you guys let me know how fast you do it/what you think is a good time so it can give me an idea of a good target.

A good time is whatever time you can finish it in.

My first 10K last year, I did it in 1:22:00. I still haven't gotten under 1 hour.

jojojo909090

I did my first 10km on Saturday - 1 hour 9 mins.

Txracy

My goal is to run 10K in less than an hour. I can do it... barely. For me, I think that's a "good time", but some faster, more seasoned runners might consider that barely a workout! It's just going to be kind of subjective depending on fitness level, experience, etc.

Generally, for official races, as long as my finish time is my personal best to date, I feel awesome. Because I know I ran faster than I ever did before. There is just something about it, beating your own personal record, so that is my goal. As long as I know I'm improving!

You could also look up the "average finish time" for the race you're doing, and set THAT as your goal (that's what I did for my first 5K... I just wanted to be slightly faster than "average"! As long as I beat 34 minutes, I was good!)

infamousdrew76

There is no "good" 10K time!

What is your goal? What are you trying to accomplish?

Answer those questions, then set your goals accordingly!

I run a 10K in just under an hour, and many people would find this slow! I don't care because I hate running, and I just do it for my job!

Set a realistic goal, and adjust your training accordingly!

Frankii_x

It completely depends on your age, how long you've been running etc.

My PB is at 59:03 but last week I ran a 1:04:21 - I've been suffering with an injury and it was very hot!

So totally depends on your circumstances. You're doing great though, just keep going and your speed will come eventually

pinkraynedropjacki

50min flat for me.

Faery_Dust

Lol, I can't even run 5k so I think you are doing awesome My first goal is to run a non stop 5k. I did it last year and then kind of gave up. Just work on trying to shave a tiny bit off of your time each run, even just 10 seconds and it will eventually add up.

george_sweeten

It all depends on your age and weight as to whats a good time, I'd say that as long as you complete it at a reasonable pace without stopping then then that's all that matters, Saying that I think people generally complete it in about an hour, my PB is 52 minutes though

SwindonJogger

For serious runners a sub 40min is considered a good 10k time. Obviously age, genetics,weight, dedication etc play their part.
Decent club runners will be in the low 30's.
I am running around 44 mins so have a way to go yet.
Any 10k time is a good time in my opinion.

missdaisy79

I agree with the comments that have already been made. My current 10k PB is 66 minutes, and I know I can beat that on a flat route, but any result is still a result!

ingies2011

A good time is one where you have given it your 100%. In your race you'll find you'll be able to go faster then you normally run, all that adrenalin and other runners really push you to go harder and faster

maryjaquiss

My next goal is sub-50 minutes - my PB is 53 minutes but that was with quite a bit of walking (set off too fast), so I believe I can do it. I ran my first race in 1hr6 and my next three were 59, 56 then 53. For me, "good" went down from "finish", to "run the whole way round", to "beat my PB". Take it a goal at a time

timeasterday

I think anything under an hour is pretty darn good. I ran my first last month and finished in 50:40. Really wanted to be sub-50 but with thousands of runners in front of me I didn't get off to a fast start.

melaniecheeks

Did my first one last year in 1 hr 13. Ran that one again this year in 1hr 03, and was really pleased with teh improvement. I do a 5k Park Run every Saturday, and am now fairly consistently getting those in under 30 minutes, so my next target is to run 10k in under an hour.

What's a good 10k time? Faster than you did it last time.

emilyc_1987

it's hard to say what is a good time.
my best time is 50:03 but I was running everyday then.
I've not been running for a year-due to injury and work commitments and there's no way I could run 10k in 50 mins right now.

it's not about comparing yourself to others, it's about pushing yourself and improving on your times.

aim to get to the hour mark, that way you have something to swing toward, but honestly just completing 10k should be motivation enough!

keep up the good work!

RebekahR84

Now.

RunnerElizabeth

I think the idea is to run your race the best you can. My times vary, but some days I finish a race knowing that there is no way I would have been even a few seconds faster that day because I gave it my all. I've only run 1 10k (I perfer half marathons). It was 88degrees and I ran 1:01:27. I do faster Iin training, but I gave it everything that day so I was pleased.

madmickie

Check out 'age-grading' - it shows your time as a % of the world's best time for your sex/age. Regular recreational runners are probably in the 45 -65% range, club runners up to maybe 80% , atfer that you are probably at the sharp end of local/regional competition. OVer 90% and your probably international standard or your watch stopped!!

JenMc14

I did my first 10K a couple of weekends ago. My time was 1:12:37. I was pretty damn happy, especially considering my left knee done left me around the 4.5 mile mark! If you finish, your time is good. That's honestly my opinion. 10K is no walk in the park, and finishing it is impressive. If you want to improve your time (something I've not really been able to accomplish yet), Do some sprint work in one of your runs as well as adding mileage to one of your runs. I think both those things can help to improve time.

jackieh5077

Thank you so much for your feedback guys! I've have set myself the challenge of completing the 2 10k races I have coming up in October in under an hour (even if it's 59:59.... it WILL be under the hour!!).

As well as my usual road jobs I am going to make use of the treadmill to get some sprints in and hopefully the combination will increase my speed.

My current pace used to push my heart rate up to abut 189-195 and nowadays its more 155-160... so there should be plenty more room to push harder. I've been concentrating on pushing the distance and it meant i competely forgot about the pace.

jackieh5077

road jogs*

maegmez

I agree, a good time is your time.

I started running in January and have done several 10k 's. my best time is 56 mins! I run because I love running! I love seeing how fast I can go and challenging myself.

Just have a good time!

langurmonkey

To get under an hour what worked for me is just doing more miles per week. I very rarely do any speedwork / intervals. I split up between doing 10k at about a 5.5 / 6 minute kilometer (i.e. around an hour for a 10k), slower longer runs (10 - 20 miles @ 6+ min / km) and slightly faster shorter runs (5-5.5 min/km for around 5-6km). That seems to work OK. My very first race was a year ago, and I did 10k in 1 hour and 3 minutes. This weekend I did the same race in 45:28, so that training plan seems to have worked out. I started out running three times a week, now it's nearly every day.
Like most things, the more time you devote to it, the better you will get. It depends on your priorities I guess. One thing that I found enormously helpful was joining a running club. Most places have them, and will love beginners - some even have special beginners training sessions. You also get a nice feeling of being part of something, and there are generally cheaper race events for clubs etc.

jackieh5077

Thanks for all your feedback guys! i have sponateously signed up for a half-marathon in 6 (training) weeks time... so I will temporarily be taking my focus away from speed and focussing more on distance (certainly for the longer runs)... but I dare say, pushing more distance and more frequently will also increase my speed

clarkeje1

I ran my first 10k in May and my time was 1:09:58.

RGv2

A good time is the one you finished in.

Personally, I ran an ~43 min 10K.

jdm_taco

beginner- under an hour

intermediate- under 50

advance- under 42

HealthWoke0ish

I think you're doing just fine. I'm at about an hour and two minutes. Not bad for 250 lbs, no?

Calliope610

beginner- under an hour

intermediate- under 50

advance- under 42

How about a 51yo 200lb beginner? I plan to participate in my first 10K in April 2014. At this point, with 5 months to train, my goal is a 80min (13min/mile pace) run.

What about other novices? How was your first time?

melaniecheeks

My first was 1:13. I ran the same race last year in 1:03. I'd love to run it next year in under an hour.

Set your own target.