Average Time to Run a Mile

Many people often ask about the average time to run a mile, in order to compare their speed and improve it. A mile translates into roughly 1.6 kilometers and this is the most basic scale against which a runner or a sprinter can compare his/her speed.

The average time to run a mile is about 10 minutes, but this time depends on many other factors like the proper running form, age of an individual, the medical condition, physical condition like stamina and strength, and also the terrain where he/she is attempting to run a mile. Obviously a younger male who is in peak physical condition and is well trained and conditioned, will finish the mile faster than a man in his 50's who has respiratory problems.

The fastest time to run a mile has been clocked in the year 1999 by Hicham El Guerrouj of Morocco. He ran a mile in Rome, Italy in exactly 3 minutes and 43.13 seconds, or 223.13 seconds. Many people have tried breaking this record since then, but they have been unable to do so. Now this does not mean that everyone can run a mile in this much time. It takes a lot of physical conditioning and training to be able to run a mile in less than 5 minutes, but it is not impossible. Here are some fitness tips for you.

Average Times
In the basic training that the army provides, recruits are required to run a mile within 9 minutes. Going by this standard it is safe to say that 10 minutes is a good estimate of the average time, since recruits in the army are physically much stronger, agile, and have greater amounts of stamina than regular people.

High schools around the country regularly hold tests and running drills to get the kids into shape, and as a part of these drills the students are expected to run a mile within 8-10 minutes. Students who are a part of the athletic and track team, or the football team will be able to clock the mile in lesser minutes. The speed at which one runs also affects the average time. By running faster one can lower the average time it takes to run a mile, but this will take a greater toll on the individual and tire them faster. The aim of all running and jogging exercises though, should be to noticeably reduce the average minutes to run a mile.

Average Time Depending on Age
Now as a person grows older, his strength and power improves till a certain limit. But once this limit has been reached, his physical capacities will start deteriorating. This is why a 25 year old male can run faster than a 15 year old boy, but the 15 year old boy can run faster than a 40 year old man. Lifestyle habits also play a role, and if the individual has ignored his/her body for many years, their average time will be considerably high.

A fit 15 year old should be able to run a mile within 6 minutes, a 30 year old will take around 8 minutes, a 45 year old will take about 11 minutes or so and a 60 year old will need about 14 minutes to run a mile. Apart from the age of the person the other factors that make a difference are the terrain over which one is running, muscle mass, muscle development, weight of the person, height of the person, gender of the person, endurance and physical condition of the person and previous running experience. All these factors will combine and determine the average time for an individual.

Running is one of the best cardiovascular exercises one can get, and everyone should run a mile or two everyday for a healthy body. It builds and develops pretty much every muscle group in the body, and it is extremely enjoyable as well. Try to reduce your average time and it will help the development of your body immensely.