Average first timer parkrun time

[ArthurJG]

For those tempted to fret about not doing 5k in 30 minutes at graduation, an interesting stat in the weekly parkrun email today. The AVERAGE time for a person doing their first parkrun is 35’03”. Tends to bear out the observation on this forum that only 10-20% of C25k graduates are doing 5k in 30 minutes at graduation.

[Hidden]

Great Post, good advice, I can normally get round my 5k runs in between 26 and 28 minutes, park run not so the case, there's so many bodies and it's all a bit daunting especially 1st time out, but hey we all need something to aim for 👍

[Instructor57 Graduate]

I would be happy with that as it would be the first time off tarmac for me

[AlMorr Ambassador Graduate]

Hi ArthurJG, long time no heard, hope you are keeping well and still running, yes only about 10% of runners graduate in 30 minutes or less, my first 5K was 34.24, first parkrun was 34.16, so I am around the average..

[Pugwash Graduate]

Good stat - thanks for sharing. I'd also add that not all Parkrun courses are created equal either. Sure, they're all 5km but my local one, for instance, includes a very stiff uphill section - so stiff in fact that many participants walk that section (and it isn't short!).

I'd advise C25Kers to do their first PR with no preconceptions about expected timings and use that first run as your benchmark. As an example, after my own C25K graduation my local PR time stayed stubbornly at 40-42 mins for a good while.