The average amateur runner in the UK is over 7 minutes slower than double Olympic champion Mo Farah, a study has revealed.
Researchers analysing the results of over 1000 amateur sports events across the country have calculated that the average amateur 5K time comes in at 20 minutes and 4 seconds, which is 7 minutes and 1 second slower than the 13:03.30 5k time Mo ran at the Rio Olympics.
The study that was compiled on behalf of sportswear company ShadeStation researched a range of disciplines across running alongside several events in cycling and rowing.
The research also found that compared to marathon legend Paula Radcliffe be prepared to run over 52% longer to complete the 26.2 mile feat. And if you think you’re catching up to cycling hero Bradley Wiggins anytime soon, then you need to think again. In the feared hour record the research found that Wiggins would be able to put over 10 kilometres between him and the average amateur cyclist.
Lauren Dowell, from the Chester-based company, said “With the New Year here and it being the time of year where people look to change their lifestyles, we thought it would be intriguing to offer new runners, cyclists or rowers the chance to compare themselves and the professionals they often look up to.”
She continued “I mean who hasn’t ran on a treadmill and wondered just how fast they’d have to crank up the belt to compete with Usain Bolt? Far from putting people off, we hope the data comparison can offer both an amateur target for people just starting in the New Year and the professional data can show you just what the human body is capable of achieving.”
For a full comparison of over 30 amateur events across athletics visit the ShadeStation blog and use their interactive tables to study the data.