Free running calculator

Training Pace Calculator

Estimate easy, long run, steady, tempo, interval, and repeat paces from a recent race or time trial.

  • Easy pace
  • Tempo pace
  • Interval pace
  • Mile or kilometer output

Recent effort

Enter a benchmark result

Use a recent honest race or time trial. These ranges are estimates, not medical advice, coaching advice, or a guarantee of race performance.

Training ranges

Suggested pace bands

5K in 25:00 estimates9:55 / mile - 11:12 / mile

Projection uses a simple race-time curve. Adjust for heat, hills, fatigue, terrain, and recovery.

Easy / recovery

9:55 / mile - 11:12 / mileConversational recovery and aerobic miles.

Long run

9:27 / mile - 10:27 / mileControlled long runs where finishing smooth matters.

Steady

8:54 / mile - 9:32 / mileModerate efforts that are quicker than easy but not a race.

Tempo

8:36 / mile - 9:08 / mileSustainably hard threshold-style running.

Interval

7:49 / mile - 8:13 / mileShort repeats with recovery between efforts.

Repeat / strides

7:04 / mile - 7:33 / mileFast controlled reps, strides, or short hill efforts.
Benchmark pace
8:03 / mile
Estimated 5K
25:00
Estimated 10K
52:04
Estimated half marathon
1:54:45
Estimated marathon
3:59:12

How the training pace calculator works

The calculator starts with one recent benchmark effort, such as a 5K, 10K, mile time trial, half marathon, or custom distance. It converts that effort into pace, then uses a simple race-time projection curve to estimate equivalent race paces at nearby distances.

Those projected paces become anchors for practical training ranges. Easy and long-run paces are intentionally slower. Tempo, interval, and repeat paces are faster and should be used with more recovery and less total volume.

What each training pace means

Easy pace should feel conversational and sustainable. Long-run pace is controlled enough that the final miles do not turn into a race. Steady pace is quicker, but still below a true threshold effort.

Tempo pace is a sustainably hard effort, interval pace is closer to shorter-race intensity, and repeat pace is best reserved for short controlled efforts. The calculator gives ranges because training by feel matters more than chasing one exact second on every workout.

Why recent effort matters

A current benchmark is more useful than an old personal best. Fitness changes with consistency, sleep, stress, weather, course profile, altitude, and injury history. A hot or hilly race may understate your fitness, while a downhill course may overstate it.

If the paces look too aggressive for normal training, slow them down. Building aerobic consistency usually matters more than forcing every run into a calculator range.

Training pace limits

This page is a planning tool, not medical advice, coaching advice, or a personalized training plan. It does not know your health history, injury risk, weekly mileage, sleep, strength work, heat tolerance, or recovery needs.

Use the results as a starting point. If you are returning from a break, building from low mileage, preparing for a military fitness test, or dealing with pain, use conservative paces and get qualified guidance when needed.