Glossary of Running Distances

Running workouts have their own lingo and distances. Americans, with our unusualy Imperial system of measuring in miles, still sometimes use the metric system for racing and training. Here is your go-to resource explaining standard workout and race distances in the U.S. and around the world.

5K

10K

100

200

400

800

1600

Half Marathon

Marathon

5K is 3.1 miles and the length of a 5K race. In the instance of 5K, K stands for kilometers. 1 mile equals 1.609 kilimeters. 5K is one of the most popular race distances and is the most common first race distance for beginning runners.

10K is 6.2 miles and the length of a 10K race. In the instance of 10K, K stands for kilometers. 1 mile equals 1.609 kilimeters. A 10K race is twice the distance of a 5K and is a popular intermediate race distance.

100 is 100 meters, or one fourth of a lap on a standard outdoor track, or half of a lap on a standard indoor track. To run 100 meters on the track, the straight stretch down one side of a track = 100 meters, and is marked with start and end lines. On your running watch or running app, 100 meters = 0.062 of a mile.

A 200 is 200 meters, or one half lap on a standard outdoor track, or one lap on a standard indoor track. If you are totaling your miles, it takes 8 x 200s to equal 1 mile, or 1600 meters. If you are running on the road or trail, 200 meters = 0.124 of a mile.

A 400 is 400 meters, or one lap on a standard outdoor track. For indoor tracks, 400-meters is two laps. A standard outdoor track = 4 laps (4 x 400) to equal 1 mile, or 1600 meters. An interval workout that includes 400s means 1-lap intervals or .25 of a mile if you are running on the road.

An 800 is 800 meters, or two laps on a standard outdoor track. For indoor tracks, 800-meters is 4 laps. An interval workout that includes 800s means 2-lap intervals or .5 of a mile if you are running on the road.

1600 is 1600 meters, is one mile, or 4 laps on a standard outdoor track. For indoor tracks, 1600-meters is 8 laps. A standard outdoor track = 4 laps (4 x 400) to equal 1 mile, or 1600 meters. A mile is 1.0 if you are using a running app or watch programmed in miles.

A half marathon is 13.1 miles, or 21.08 kilometers. Half marathons are popular long distance races that require at least 12 weeks of training for most runners. A half marathon is half the length of the standard marathon distance.

A marathon is 26.2 miles or 42.1648 kilometers. The marathon is the most popular long distance race in the world. It takes from 12 to 20 weeks to train for a marathon, depending on the runners level starting out. The New York City Marathon is the largest marathon in the world, drawing over 50,000 runners.