Cross country races- These are run on grass and trails.
Road races- These are run on roads or sidewalks.
Common Race Distances:
Keep in mind that many races are measured in kilometers, not miles.
Here’s the conversion:
1 mile = .6214 kilometers.
That means:
5K = 3.1 miles
10K = 6.2 miles
15K = 9.3 miles
Half marathon = 13.1 miles
Marathon = 26.2 miles
Ultramarathon = more than 26.2 miles
Two runners after a 5K race.
Racing Tips:
Get to the race early so you have enough time to warm up, stretch, and get to the starting line. Pre-registering also helps save time before races.
Bring your own water or sports drink and post-race food in case refreshments run out.
Do a short, easy run the day before a race, or don’t even run at all. You’ll feel rested and ready to go on race day.
If you’re sore the day after a race, take it easy. Your body needs time to recover after a hard race. Generally, the longer the distance of the race, the more easy days you need.
Don’t start the race at a blazing pace. Adrenaline in the first mile may excite you to a faster pace than your body can handle for the rest of the race. If you start out too fast, you’ll feel like you’ve hit a brick wall later in the race. If you did start out too fast, however, all is not lost. Slow down a bit and see how you feel. Maybe you can keep up a faster pace than you realize!
Two runners after a 5K race.