What is the average time for a 50K finish?

Asked by: Mr. Arnulfo Skiles  |  Last update: June 15, 2025
Score: 4.6/5 (46 votes)

Assuming a trail race with moderate difficulty, these are the average times it may take a racer to reach the finish line of a 50k: Beginner runners: 6 to 8 hours. Intermediate runners: 5 to 6 hours. Experienced runners: 4 to 5 hours.

What's a good pace for a 50K?

Generally, 90-95% of long run HR is a good bet. If you can sustain say a 150 HR for a long steady run of 2-2.5 hours in training, I'd say shoot for high 130s or 140s for the majority of a 50k and let it float higher at the end if you still have juice.

What is the fastest 50K time?

CJ Albertson Sets 50k World Record in 2:38:43.

How long should you train for a 50km?

50K and 50 mile ultramarathons: minimum maximum of 6 hours per week for 3 weeks, starting 6 weeks before your goal event. 100K and 100 mile ultramarathons: minimum maximum of 9 hours per week for 6 weeks, starting 9 weeks before your goal event.

Is a 50K easier than a marathon?

Race pace for a 50K is slower than marathon pace, and there may be long stretches of hiking. That doesn't mean 50K training should be all low-intensity workouts. Sensible training for a 50K incorporates the full spectrum of intensities.

3 THINGS I WISH I KNEW BEFORE MY 1ST 50K ULTRA

25 related questions found

How long does it take to run 50k on average?

This is tough for me, and especially because a 50k takes around four to six hours. (We'll talk more about this later, but it's really important to understand that the time it takes to finish a 50k depends not just on your fitness level, but also on the type of 50k that you choose.

How many calories per hour for 50k?

For most athletes, this represents an intake of 120-180 calories per hour. Larger athletes (200+ lbs.) can consume 200 or slightly more calories. And if you find that's not quite enough calories, that's an easy fix—you consume a few more.

How long to recover after 50K?

Recovery Times Based on Race Distance:

50k: Typically 1-2 weeks for full recovery. 50-mile: Expect 2-3 weeks for full recovery. 100k: Around 3-4 weeks of recovery time. 100-mile: Up to 6 weeks for complete recovery.

How hard is it to run 50K?

Understanding the Minimum Training for a 50K Ultra Marathon

To complete a successful 50K, four runs a week would be a minimum. It's very difficult to drive fitness off three runs a week for an ultra unless that runner has the ability to do three substantial midweek runs.

Is a 50K an ultra?

50k. The 50k ultra marathon, 31 miles, is a great way to enter safely into the ultra world as a marathon runner. You still feel at home with the fast pace nature but you also get a real taste of what pushing the envelope both physically and mentally feels like.

What is an elite 50K time?

Elite runners can finish a 50-kilometer ultramarathon in under four hours, although recreational runners may need five to eight hours or longer, depending on a variety of conditions. At Ultra X 50 Scotland our first-place male runner finished in 4hrs 53 minutes and first-place female finished in 5hrs 5 minutes.

What is the fastest 5k ever done?

The official world records in the 5000 metres, or 5000-metre run, are held by Joshua Cheptegei with 12:35.36 for men and Beatrice Chebet with 13:54.00 for women.

How long should your longest run be before a 50K?

For your longest long runs for a 50-mile race or a 100K, do two 25-30 mile (40-50K) long runs back to back during your buildup. Run 25-30 miles one day and 25 miles the next.

How fast do ultramarathoners run?

The best ultra runners are from South Africa with an average pace of 10:36 min/mile. The runner-ups are Sweden (11:56 min/mile) and Germany (12:01 min/mile). The slowest ultra running nations are Argentina (15:20 min/mile), Mexico (15:30 min/mile) and Malaysia (15:55 min/mile).

What should my average pace be?

The global average mile pace for men is 10:02 min/mile (6:14 min/km), while the global average mile pace for women is 11:17 min/mile (7:01 min/km). In the UK, we're actually a little speedier than the average global pace – coming in at 9:48 min/mile (06:05 min/km).

How long to taper before an ultramarathon?

“In general, one can say: The shorter a race, the shorter the tapering phase. For a half-marathon you start about two weeks out with reducing training loads. For a marathon, it's about three weeks, and for an ultra, it's more like four weeks.

How many miles is 10 k?

The 10K run is a long-distance road running competition over a distance of ten kilometres (6.2 miles).

Is 50 too old to run?

While some naysayers may argue that running in your 50s isn't healthy or safe, the sport remains popular with this age group. In fact, masters runners (those over a certain age, usually 40) are the fastest-growing age group in the sport.

What does running 100 miles do to your body?

What does running 100 miles do to your body? Running for 24 hours will sap every molecule of glycogen from your legs within the first thirty miles. It will slow your digestion because blood is demanded elsewhere to constantly deliver oxygen to your muscles and cool your system.

What happens to your body after an ultramarathon?

Ultra-marathoners often suffer from digestive problems and gastrointestinal bleeding after an ultra-marathon is not uncommon. Liver enzymes can also considerably increase during an ultra-marathon. An ultra-marathon often leads to a temporary reduction in renal function.

What to say to a runner after a race?

10 Phrases of Encouragement for Runners
  1. You looked strong.
  2. Your form was great.
  3. It seemed like you had power going up hill.
  4. Way to keep your head in the race.
  5. I'm so proud of you for finishing even though it was tough.
  6. I'm glad you were able to keep going.
  7. You looked light on your feet.
  8. You passed him with such ease.

Do you need protein during an ultramarathon?

Protein During Ultramarathons

Ultramarathons involve skipping normal meals throughout the day. In a long enough race, you will eventually need to take in some protein — especially in the form of real foods that also include fat, rather than just relying on sports drinks, gels, and energy bars all day.

What burns 700 calories an hour?

Tae Kwon Do. This form of martial arts is a total body workout – it improves cardiovascular fitness, flexibility, coordination and muscular strength, all while burning a whopping 700 calories in an hour.

How long can I survive on 1200 calories a day?

Whilst the 1200 calorie diet can help you to lose weight fast, extending it past 2-4 weeks can often result in more harm than good. Over-restricting and under-nourishing yourself with a low calorie diet can often leave you feeling depleted of energy, fatigued and unable to get through your day.