When runners talk about common race distances, you’ll usually hear 5Ks, 10Ks, half marathons, and marathons mentioned first. A 5-mile run sits slightly outside the standard race lineup, but it’s still a really useful distance, especially for runners building beyond 5K and working toward longer events.
Five miles is long enough to require pacing and endurance, but short enough that it can fit neatly into weekly training without the commitment of a long run.
So, how long does it actually take to run 5 miles? The answer depends on your pace, experience, and fitness level, but we can give some clear benchmarks.
How far is 5 miles?
Five miles is equivalent to:
- 8.05 kilometres
- Just over a 5K plus two extra miles
- Around 20 laps of a standard outdoor track
It’s a great “in-between” distance for runners progressing from shorter races like the 5K toward longer efforts like the 10K or half marathon.
The average time to run 5 miles
For many recreational runners, a typical pace falls somewhere between 9 and 12 minutes per mile. That means most people will finish 5 miles in roughly:
45 to 60 minutes
A useful rule of thumb is:
- 10-minute mile pace → 50 minutes for 5 miles
- 12-minute mile pace → 60 minutes for 5 miles
- 8-minute mile pace → 40 minutes for 5 miles
So if you can estimate your mile pace, you can quickly estimate your 5-mile finish time.
5-mile time estimates by pace
Here’s what 5 miles looks like at common running paces:
- 7:00 min/mile: 35:00
- 8:00 min/mile: 40:00
- 9:00 min/mile: 45:00
- 10:00 min/mile: 50:00
- 11:00 min/mile: 55:00
- 12:00 min/mile: 60:00
Even small changes in pace make a big difference over five miles, which is why pacing matters more here than in shorter runs.
What is a “good” time for 5 miles?
A good 5-mile time depends entirely on your background, training consistency, age, and running goals. Rather than comparing yourself to elite runners, it’s more helpful to think in broad experience levels.
Beginner runners
If you’re running 5 miles for the first time, simply completing the distance is the main achievement.
A common beginner benchmark is:
- Around 55–65 minutes
- Roughly 11–13 min/mile pace
Many runners reach this point after building up from 5K training.
Intermediate runners
Intermediate runners who run consistently each week often aim to cover 5 miles comfortably while still pushing the pace.
A typical intermediate range might be:
- 45–55 minutes
- Roughly 9–11 min/mile pace
At this level, pacing becomes more controlled and endurance improves noticeably.
Advanced runners
More experienced runners, particularly those training for 10Ks or half marathons, can run 5 miles at a strong sustained effort.
Advanced targets often fall around:
- 30–40 minutes
- Roughly 6–8 min/mile pace
For these runners, 5 miles is often used as a tempo-style benchmark distance.
What affects your 5-mile time?
Several factors influence how long it takes to run 5 miles:
- Your current fitness and weekly mileage
- Experience pacing longer runs
- Terrain (flat vs hilly routes)
- Weather and conditions
- Whether it’s a race effort or an easy run
A 5-mile race time will usually be much faster than a casual training run over the same distance.
How to improve your 5-mile time
If you want to get faster over 5 miles, the best approach is balanced training. That usually includes:
- Regular easy runs to build endurance
- One faster workout per week (intervals or tempo runs)
- A weekly longer run to improve stamina
- Consistent recovery between harder sessions
Because five miles sits between speed and endurance, improving at this distance often improves your overall running fitness too.
The bottom line
Most runners will take 45 to 60 minutes to run 5 miles, depending on pace and experience. Beginners may be closer to an hour, while experienced runners often finish well under 45 minutes.
Five miles is a brilliant benchmark distance, long enough to build endurance, short enough to run regularly, and a great stepping stone toward 10K training.
