Figuring out 5K pace

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2012-04-30 9:32 PM

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Subject: Figuring out 5K pace

When your looking at the results of a 5K race you just did, does the timing chip company take your total time and divide by 3.1mi or 3mi to come up with your pace?

I know this is a stupid question, but just wanted to know.

Thanks,

 

2012-04-30 9:56 PM
in reply to: #4182624

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Subject: RE: Figuring out 5K pace
I would assume and hope the 3.1 miles since if they only did 3 miles it would not show your 5k pace, it would only show your 3 mile pace.  Especially because that last .1 mile kinda sucks big time if you run it hard.
2012-05-01 7:20 AM
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Subject: RE: Figuring out 5K pace
They do just divide by 3.1, but don't always believe the results - I've been on plenty of courses that were short and long but all advertise as 5K. I can't tell you how thrilled I was the first time I ran what I believed was my fastest pace ever on a 5k, until I mapped the course later and discovered it was only about 2.9 miles

Edited by fisherman76 2012-05-01 7:21 AM
2012-05-01 7:25 AM
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Subject: RE: Figuring out 5K pace

fisherman76 - 2012-05-01 7:20 AM They do just divide by 3.1, but don't always believe the results - I've been on plenty of courses that were short and long but all advertise as 5K. I can't tell you how thrilled I was the first time I ran what I believed was my fastest pace ever on a 5k, until I mapped the course later and discovered it was only about 2.9 miles

This.

In my experience, relatively few 5K courses are certified as to correct distance. 

2012-05-01 9:52 AM
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Subject: RE: Figuring out 5K pace
Lots of local 5k organizers set the start/finish and turnaround at a place that is more convenient than absolutely accurate.  The timing company doesn't care, and would calculate your overall pace based on 3.11 miles.
2012-05-01 9:57 AM
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Subject: RE: Figuring out 5K pace

fisherman76 - 2012-05-01 8:20 AM  I can't tell you how thrilled I was the first time I ran what I believed was my fastest pace ever on a 5k, until I mapped the course later and discovered it was only about 2.9 miles

What the hell were you thinking man!  If you get a smokin' time, just enjoy it for god's sake.  People moan here all the time about PR this and PR that, and here you are trying to weasle your way out of a PR.  Here's the thing, if I pay money for a 5K race it is a 5K race.  Unless it's long.

 

2012-05-01 10:08 AM
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Subject: RE: Figuring out 5K pace
I'll also add this example: the triathlon I direct advertises a 15-mile bike as part of our "5s": 500m/15mi/5k. I've measued it dozens of times and the bike course is only 14.8 miles. We have our timer use the 14.8 to calculate the average speed of the bike split even though the nominal distance is 15 miles.
2012-05-01 11:17 AM
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Subject: RE: Figuring out 5K pace
Also, don't forget that even on certified courses, most people end up running longer.  Certified courses are measured on the "perfect" line, so unless you take every corner and straight away on the perfect line you will be running longer.
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