The 10K run is popular amongst both beginners and experienced runners. The distance provides a challenging step up from a 5K but is still accessible to those new to running or with very little training.
If you are thinking of taking part in an event to increase your fitness levels or to raise money for a charity or other good cause, there are plenty of 10K events organised all over the UK.
Before you go and sign up though, you might be wondering “how long is a 10K run, and how should I prepare for it?”.
How long is a 10K run?
The ‘K’ in a 10K is short for kilometres, meaning that a 10K run is 10,000 metres in distance. If you prefer to measure your distance in miles, this is equal to 6.2 miles.
Being double the distance of a 5K, which is 3.1 miles, a 10K race is often regarded as the next step up from a 5K, to challenge your fitness and stamina.
If you use a fitness tracker you may be familiar with step counting. Fitness experts recommend that you should complete 10,000 steps per day.
If we take into account an average stride length of 2.1 to 2.5 feet, you would reach around 12,500 steps over the distance of 10K, well above the recommended 10,000!
Is running a 10K hard?
Whether or not running a 10K is hard will depend on your current fitness level. If you haven’t done a 10K event before, you may be a bit apprehensive about the distance and how long it might take to run a 10K.
Fortunately, there are some really useful training plans out there that can help you to cross the finish line of your first 10K.
Although it’s aimed primarily at training for a 5K race, the Couch to 5k training plan is a good place to start on your journey towards completing a 10K.
The plan starts off with a combination of running and walking, gradually increasing the distance you run over a number of weeks.
Once you are comfortable with a 5K run you can then continue to increase the length of your runs up to 10K.
Who knows, once you’ve crossed the finish line you might want to set your sights on a half marathon or even a marathon!
More tips for running a 10k
Finding the right running shoes can make a big difference to your training. Many sports shops will be able to measure your gait and give you advice on which shoes will suit your running style.
Remember to take rest days in your training schedule to avoid injury and to give your body time to recover.
If you are struggling with training, try getting involved with running groups or asking a friend to join you for encouragement and support.
