What’s a 5K in Miles? Common Running Distances – UPDATED 2021

Whether you are running your first race or a dedicated runner, 5k is a common race distance we all, at some point, compete in.

What’s a 5k in miles? A 5k is 3.1 miles, making it short enough for your first race and long enough to test your endurance. A 5k race requires less volume of training than other distances but still tests your mental limits.

If you want to compete in your first 5k, it is important to have at least three to four runs a week behind you for two to three months before the 5k event. It is also wise to have at least completed a long run of 3 miles in training. And you should at least be able to run for 30 minutes non-stop before you start targeting a specific time.

Alternatively, if you are an experienced runner, you may want to run the 5k distance (3.1 miles) faster than your previous best time.

Doing so requires much more dedication to your training and also variation in your workouts. Hills, tempo runs, intervals, and speed sessions are just a few of the workouts you should implement into your training.

No matter your goal with running a 5k, there is no doubt that 5km is one of the most accessible and enjoyable distances to compete over.

Keep reading for other popular distances you may want to compete over. Alternatively check out our range of 5k training plans available or you can follow this ultimate guide to “design your perfect fitness plan“.

How Many Miles is a 5K?

So how many miles is a 5k? A 5km is 3.1 miles. This means on a standard running track of 400m it effectively equals 12.5 laps (400m x 12 laps). Even though most of the 5k races in the past few years have been cancelled because of the pandemic. However, 5km still remains the most popular distance to run.

 

How Many Miles is a 10k? – Moving up in Distance

How many miles is a 10k? The 10k distance equates to 6.2 miles. That means it equals running around a standard running track 25 times. (25 laps of 400m).

10 000m or 6.2miles while not as popular as the 5k distance, requires much more training than a 5k. The extra distance tests many runners and pushes them to their limits. That means the required training is higher and we recommend at least 10 weeks of training before attempting to compete over the distance. Ideally, you should already have completed a 5k event or ran that in training.

If you are a beginner and want to bypass the shorter distance, the couch to 10k training plan is a great way to safely reach the distance over 6 weeks. Alternatively, start with the couch to 5k training plan and then build up your long run once completed. Just remember before starting your training for a 10k, make sure you have the correct workout clothes. That way you can not only be comfortable, but make running the distance much more enjoyable.

Are you a runner or marathon enthusiast? Come customize a reward pin for each of your running goals to honour your persistence and hard work! Come on, Get your custom race medals!

How Many Miles is a Half Marathon?

Slightly more than double the 10k distance, the half marathon (21.1km) equates to 13.1 miles.

The distance is rather appealing for many runners, it requires both speed and endurance to complete the distance, but not as time-consuming as training for a marathon.

However, that is not to say it is an easy task to train and compete over the half marathon distance. Not many people can push their body as hard over the 21k distance as they can over 5k. This largely comes down to the mental toughness required to concentrate over the 21.1k distance.

In general, the 13.1-mile distance is a great stepping stone when moving up to the marathon distance. It is also a good distance to use as preparation 4 weeks out from the marathon.

How Many Miles is a Marathon?

How many miles is a marathon? A marathon is 42.195 kilometers or 26.2 miles. One of the most popular distances runners train for behind the 5km distance.

However, running a marathon isn’t an easy task, even for the experienced runner.

Just finishing a marathon requires many months of training and dedication. Most runners can be seen clocking anywhere from 50k a week up to 200km a week (elite).

It is recommended if you are training for your first marathon that you train for at least 16 weeks before stepping on the start line. Ideally, 20 weeks or more will give you a better preparation and prepare you mentally for the distance.

There are plenty of marathon training plans around. At SportCoaching we cater for all levels of runners and custom build these plans for each person. That way we can fit the training around their lifestyle and current goals and fitness level.

 

Why is a Marathon 26.2 Miles?

Why is a marathon 26.2 miles in length? Based on the story of Pheidippides, the Greek messenger. The marathon distance of 26.2 miles was first run at the 1908 Olympics.

To read more about why the marathon is 26.2 miles long, read our post here.

How Long is an Ultramarathon?

How long is an ultramarathon? Unlike the marathon, half marathon, 10k, or 5k. An ultramarathon has no set distance. Generally, anything longer than a marathon (42.2k/26.2 miles) is considered an ultramarathon.

However, there are some common distances that races are held over. This includes 50k (31 miles), 50 miles, 100k, 100 miles, and 24 to 48-hour events. Where runners try to run as far as they can over the time allocated.

Because many of these events are designed to test the runner’s limits, they are mostly held off-road or on trails.

How Long is a Running Track? (Outdoor)

An outdoor running track or all-weather track is 400 meters in length. That means that one lap around the track is 400m. However, don’t get confused with an indoor running track, as it is only is half the distance (200 meters in length) .

Some of the common distances ran on a track is:
100m – Length of the straight
200m – Half a lap around the track
400m – One full lap around the track
800m – Two full laps
1500m – Three-and-three-quarter laps
1 mile – 4 laps around the track (1609.34 meters is 1 mile)
3000m – 7.5 laps around the track.
5000m – 12.5 laps around the track
10 000m – 25 laps of the track