Tips for precise running apps for distance?

pedometers are usually way off, use a gps. they have running apps based on gps like MapMyRun. accurate.

I use the free Runkeeper App, it uses GPS and can be used for walking running cycling etc and seems pretty accurate. What I notice is that currently I have it set to stop automatically if I stop running ( I run with the dog so do have to stop occasionally!!), it often takes several paces to restart so sometimes show that you have run slightly less - you can however turn this feature off! I started of with the Nike app but much prefer this one.

To add then, I use Runkeeper on the iPhone 5!

On my galaxy note ii, map my run is pretty accurate. Runkeeper and edomondo are both off.

Actually I started using map my run because on my old galaxy phone when the gps started to go, map my run was still accurate and the others started saying ridiculous things.

Right now I do have a brand new note ii (broke my first) and still map my run is more accurate.

Also, I ran over 5 minutes better in the race than I do on my own. How to keep up the pace when I exercise alone? I don't have any potential running partners close by.

You're not supposed to run the same pace in training as you do in a race except maybe once a week for speed training. Even then the distance is usually shorter with planned breaks between intervals.

During those sessions you just have to be mentally tough to run faster. It is not supposed to be comfortable.

I bought a Garmin GPS watch, Forerunner10. Love it.
And yes, as said before by someone else, I've noticed that some fun runs don't come out to a full 5K. I've had two at 4.8K and one at 4.5K. A way I verify this also is to map it on Google Earth and on RunKeeper afterwards. All of these races didn't have course maps provided prior to the run itself. The first one sort of got me mad because I was expecting 5K and was thinking that I shattered my PR time but the course was just short. I still had a PR but not nearly as much as I had thought once I compensated for the distance. Take them for what they are, FUN. Luckily, there are plenty of true 5Ks here to make up the difference.

No problems yet with my Garmin, including running under bridges or through a CBD - tall buildings. But I haven't run through any tunnels or through thick forests with it yet. I never downloaded run apps for my phone because my thought was that they'd drain my battery plus I have Sprint which has been spotty for me especially back in June/July. The Garmin watch solves that problem because it does track everything (distance-including mapping, time/pace (total and average and location specific), elevation and weather conditions at the time). For me personally, it's been a great investment. Also, the calories counted on the watch line up pretty even with RunKeeper too, vary slightly with MFP but not a lot to make a huge difference.

Dedicated GPS like Garmins will be more accurate than using a phone GPS however they still have an accepted degree of error. I am on the committee for the local marathon and we have to have it measured every two years to be a Boston qualifier. The last time it was measured (accurately) our route guy took along his Garmin. He did the exact same route as the person who measured. At 5 k there started to show a difference between his Garmin and the official measure and it only got bigger.

ETA - yes, as others have mentioned "fun runs" tend to be much more relaxed and can be shorter.

Was it a certified course? I'm guessing it was off. I use map my run but used to use endomondo and it worked fine .

I use Nike Plus on my iPhone 5 with very accurate results! I have also used Runkeeper with about the same accuracy. I agree that the run could have been short...I've done a couple 5ks that ended up under 3 miles.