5K run

Runners during a 5K parkrun in Cannon Hill Park, United Kingdom

The 5K run is a long-distance road running competition over a distance of five kilometres (3.1 miles). Also referred to as the 5K road race, 5 km, or simply 5K, it is the shortest of the most common road running distances. It is usually distinguished from the 5000 metres track running event by stating the distance in kilometres, rather than metres.

Among road running events, the 5K distance is mostly popular with novice or infrequent runners or joggers, as it is comparatively easier to complete the distance without endurance training. This also makes the distance suitable for people looking to improve or maintain their general physical fitness, rather than develop long-distance running abilities. The brevity of the distance means that less time is required to take part in the activity and that people from a wide range of ages and abilities may participate. From a physiological perspective, five kilometres is towards the low end of endurance running.[1][2]

The combination of the activity's simplicity, its low-cost, and medium exercise intensity mean that it is often recommended by medical organisations and healthcare professionals.[3][4][5] Like all physical activity, regular 5K runs can improve cardiovascular function and reduce body fat, as well as having mental health benefits (see runner's high).[6]

Events

Similar to other road running events, many organised 5K running events incorporate an element of charity running.[2] Runners may elect to raise money for a chosen charity on the condition of their completion of the race.[7] This is typically optional, with other participants running for pleasure. The 5K distance is particularly popular among women and a number of annual women-only races are organised over this distance. Running USA's 2012 analysis of participation in American road races showed that 58% of participants in 5K races were women. This contrasts with women's participation in sport in general and in longer distance races particularly, where the same report showed the gender bias was reversed.[8][9]

The Hot Chocolate 5K in Chicago and the Mercedes-Benz Corporate Run in Miami are the largest organised 5K runs in the United States, having attracted over 20,000 and over 16,000 runners, respectively, in 2012. This ranked the Hot Chocolate 5K as the 20th largest road running event of any distance in the United States that year.[10] There are several prominent 5K race series, including The Color Run, an international, mass participation, city-based series involving coloured water showers,[11] and the parkrun series, which is an umbrella grouping of free-to-enter, volunteer-led races recurring each weekend (principally in the United Kingdom).[12]

Unlike longer road races, such as the 10K run and marathon, the 5K distance is not commonly contested by elite distance runners. The Carlsbad 5000 is one of the few races that attract competitive elite fields and has seen several world bests for the distance (the IAAF does not recognise world record for the 5K road event).[13][14] Another annual American race, Freihofer's Run for Women, also regularly has elite women competing in the road distance,[15] as does the BOClassic in Italy.[16] Elite racing almost exclusively takes place on the track for this distance.

There is no official world championship event organised for the 5 km road distance. Championships over 5 km are held nationally in some areas, including the United States and England.[17][18] An annual North American 5K Championships was created in 2002, but this competition ceased after 2005.[19][20]

Records

The International Association of Athletics Federations does not recognise world records over the 5 km road distance. Other statistical organisations, including the Association of Road Racing Statisticians, record best times for the event.[21] Records for the 5K are often noted in national records in athletics.

Men's world bests

Time Athlete Date Location
12:59.5  Sammy Kipketer (KEN) 26 Mar 2000 Carlsbad 5000
13:12  William Mutwol (KEN) 29 March 1992 Carlsbad 5000
13:26  Yobes Ondieki (KEN) 2 April 1989 Carlsbad 5000
13:30.2  Steve Scott (USA) 27 March 1988 Carlsbad 5000
13:31  Mike McLeod (GBR) 4 April 1984 Newcastle, England
13:56  Carlos Lopes (POR) 18 February 1973 Seia, Portugal
14:19.0  Luigi Conti (ITA) 23 September 1960 Bologna, Italy

Women's world bests

Time Athlete Date Location
14:46  Meseret Defar (ETH) 9 April 2006 Carlsbad 5000
14:47  Lornah Kiplagat (NED) 28 March 2004 Brunssum, Netherlands
14:50.4  Paula Radcliffe (GBR) 14 September 2003 London, United Kingdom
14:53.6  Berhane Adere (ETH) 13 April 2003 Carlsbad 5000
14:53.8  Deena Drossin (USA) 7 April 2002 Carlsbad 5000
14:57  Paula Radcliffe (GBR) 2 September 2001 London, United Kingdom
14:57.2  Lydia Cheromei (KEN) 8 June 1997 Bern, Switzerland
15:05  Rose Cheruiyot (KEN) 2 Apr 1995 Carlsbad 5000
15:10  Elana Meyer (RSA) 16 October 1994 Providence, United States
15:11  Liz McColgan (GBR) 14 April 1991 Carlsbad 5000
15:20  Lynn Williams (CAN) 2 April 1989 Carlsbad 5000
15:26  Liz McColgan (GBR) 20 December 1987 Derry, United Kingdom
15:29  Grete Waitz (NOR) 20 October 1984 West Lafayette, United States
15:29  Lorraine Moller (NZL) 31 October 1982 Woodland Hills, United States
16:08  Mary Shea (USA) 14 Feb 1982 Raleigh, United States
16:16  Julie Shea (USA) 20 September 1981 Jersey City, United States

References

  1. ↑ Wolfe-Bieler, Kristen (2007-06-08). Run Your First 5-K. Runner's World. Retrieved on 2014-01-18.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Liberman, Art; Brown, Randy; Myers, Eileen (January 18, 2012). The Everything Running Book: The Ultimate Guide to Injury-free Running for Fitness and Competition. Adams Media. p. 194. ISBN 9781440529719.
  3. ↑ Beginner 5km programme. BUPA. Retrieved on 2014-01-18.
  4. ↑ 5K Fun Run. Diabetes.co.uk. Retrieved on 2014-01-18.
  5. ↑ 5K run: 7-week training schedule for beginners. Mayo Clinic. Retrieved on 2014-01-18.
  6. ↑ running with Couch to 5K. National Health Service. Retrieved on 2014-01-18.
  7. ↑ Race for Life. Cancer Research UK. Retrieved on 2014-01-18.
  8. ↑ Statistics. Running USA (2012). Retrieved on 2014-01-18.
  9. ↑ 2012 State of the Sport Part I: Growth of Women's Running. Running USA (2012-05-09). Retrieved on 2014-01-18.
  10. ↑ Largest Races. Running USA. Retrieved on 2014-01-18.
  11. ↑ About. The Color Run. Retrieved on 2014-01-18.
  12. ↑ Philips, Mitch (2010-05-21). Grass-roots support pushes Parkrun to new heights. Reuters. Retrieved on 2014-01-18.
  13. ↑ Defar runs fastest ever women's 5km in Carlsbad. IAAF (2006-04-10). Retrieved on 2014-01-18.
  14. ↑ Third win in a row for Gebremeskel, Burka makes Ethiopian double in Carlsbad. IAAF (2013-04-08). Retrieved on 2014-01-18.
  15. ↑ Chebet beats the heat to set course record in Albany 5K. IAAF (2010-06-06). Retrieved on 2014-01-18.
  16. ↑ Sampaolo, Diego (2012-01-01). Soi and Cheruiyot take thrillers in Bolzano. IAAF. Retrieved on 2012-01-02.
  17. ↑ Records, Rankings, and Lists. USA Track and Field. Retrieved on 2014-01-18.
  18. ↑ English 5k Road Championship. England Athletics (2010-07-12). Retrieved on 2014-01-18.
  19. ↑ North AMerican 5 Kilometres Championships. GBR Athletics. Retrieved on 2014-01-18.
  20. ↑ 2005 North American 5 km Team Challenge. USATF. Retrieved on 2014-01-18.
  21. ↑ World Best Progressions- Road. Association of Road Racing Statisticians (2013-12-21). Retrieved on 2014-01-18.
List of world bests

External links