The 10k race distance is a great option for a lot of runners. The weekly training commitment is usually manageable, even with a full-time job, and the race distance is long enough to not feel like a sprint, but short enough to feel fast and strong.
Although just finishing a 10k can be a veritable running goal, experienced runners often like to set time goals. One of the most popular time goals is to run 10k in 50 minutes.
Running 10k in 50 minutes is challenging but definitely feasible if you put in the work. In this guide, we will cover how to run 10k in 50 minutes and provide a training plan to run a 10k in 50 minutes.
We will look at:
- How Far is 10k?
- 50 Minute 10k Pace
- 10k in 50 Minutes Running Speed
- How to Run 10k in 50 Minutes
- Elements of Training to Run 10k in 50 Minutes
- 10km in 50 Minutes Training Plan
Let’s get started!
How Far Is 10k?
The “k” component of the 10k distance stands for the metric distance of a kilometer, so a 10k is 10,000 meters. For walkers in the United States who are more accustomed to miles, this converts to 6.214 miles.
For simplicity, most people shorten the 6.214 miles to 6.2 miles when they discuss 10k, but the distance of any official 10k event will be the full 10 kilometers, or 6.214 miles.
50 Minute 10k Pace
To run 10k in 50 minutes, you will need to run 8:03 per mile or 5:00 per kilometer. This means a 50-minute 10k pace is 8:03 per mile (8 minutes, 3 seconds) or 5:00 per kilometer (5 minutes).
However, since most people looking to run 10k in 50 minutes want to break 50 minutes as a barrier (running 49:59 or faster), aim to run the race at an 8-minute pace. This will give you a tiny buffer to come in under 50 minutes.
If you are running on a track, 10k in 50 minutes works out to roughly 2:00 per 400 meters and 4:00 for 800 meters.
10k In 50 Minutes Running Speed
If you are training to run 10k in 50 minutes on the treadmill, your race pace workouts will be run at a treadmill speed of 7.4 mph (12 km/hr).
How to Run 10k in 50 Minutes
Running 10k in 50 minutes is an appropriate goal if you’ve already run a 10k around 55 minutes or faster. If you have yet to run fairly close to this time, you might want to start with running a 10k under 60 minutes.
If this is your first 10k, you should be able to run 5k in under 25 minutes.
You should also be able to run one mile in 8 minutes (or at least one kilometer in 5 minutes, though preferable 2-3), as this will be your race pace for 10k in 50 minutes.
Elements of Training to Run 10k in 50 Minutes
Our 50-minute 10k training plan involves running 4-5 days per week, and resting at least one. You should be able to run 5 miles comfortably without stopping and have about 5-12 hours per week to train.
To run 10k in 50 minutes, you need to follow a well-rounded training program with interval workouts, hills, distance runs, cross-training, and strength training.
Long Runs
You’ll have a long run just about every week. It serves as your primary endurance-building workout that gets progressively longer to help your body improve its aerobic capacity, muscular endurance, and mental strength.
Long runs increase your mitochondrial density, so that your muscles get more efficient at burning fat and producing energy aerobically. They strengthen your muscles, joints, bones, and connective tissues, along with your heart and lungs.
Speed Workouts
Speed workouts on the track will involve race pace intervals (2:00/400 meters for the goal of running 10k in 50 minutes) and intervals run slightly faster than race pace. These interval workouts get your body used to running fast and build comfort and tolerance to race pace.
Threshold Workouts
Threshold workouts are designed to increase your lactate threshold, or the point at which your body is no longer able to clear lactate from the muscles as quickly as it is being produced. Beyond this point, you will rapidly fatigue and your legs will feel heavy and tired.
Threshold intervals train your body to handle running faster before hitting anaerobic efforts.
The lactate threshold occurs around 83-88% of your VO2 max, so your threshold run pace would be the pace you are running at 83-88% of your VO2 max according to your lab results or roughly the pace you could hold at max effort for an hour of running.
For most runners, the threshold run pace is about 15-20 seconds per mile slower than 10k race pace. Therefore, if you are training to run 10K in 50 minutes, your threshold workouts should be run around 8:15-8:20 pace per mile or about 5:05-5:10 per kilometer.
Easy Runs
Easy runs build your aerobic base and give you “time on your feet” without taxing your body in the way that speed workouts do. Pace isn’t important here. You should run at a comfortable, conversational pace, at an effort of 5-6 on a scale of 1-10, where 10 is max effort.
Hill Repeats
Hill repeats may be either longer uphill intervals at race pace or threshold pace or short hill sprints at near-maximal effort. Hill sprints develop power, speed, and strength and can help increase your cadence or turnover.
When running hill sprints, drive with your glutes and hips, bring your knees up, keep your stride short and powerful, engage your core, and use a powerful arm swing.
Strides
Strides are usually anywhere from 50-200 meters or so, and should be run at near-maximal speeds. Running strides conditions your neuromuscular system to handle faster paces in a controlled and coordinated manner.
Cross-Training Workouts
Cross-training is an effective way to still get an aerobic workout while using different muscles and reducing the impact of your activity relative to running. Low-impact exercises like cycling, pool running, swimming, elliptical, and rowing can supplement your running and help prevent overuse injuries.
Rest Days
Training to race 10k puts a fair amount of wear and tear on your body. Rest days give your legs and feet time off to recover and rebound from training.
Strength Training
It is important to include core work, mobility exercises, and strength training workouts 2-3 times per week. Total-body strength training workouts help prevent injuries by correcting strength imbalances and building functional stability so that your body can handle the miles of running.
10km In 50 Minutes Training Plan
This 6-week 10k training plan will help you break 50 minutes in the 10k. In addition to the workouts listed on your training plan below, try to add 2-3 days of strength training per week.
| Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | Saturday | Sunday |
| Rest or 30-45 minutes cross-training | Warm up 1 mile 4 x 800 meters in 4:00 with 200 meter jog in between 8 x 10 x 400 meters in 2:00 with 200 meter jog in between Cool down 1 mile | 3 miles easy run | Rest day | Warm up 2 miles 10 x 100 meter or 30-45 second hill sprints 1 mile cool down | 3-4 miles easy run | Long run 5 miles |
| Rest or 30-45 minutes cross-training | Warm up 1 mile 8-10 x 1,000 meters in 5:00 with 200 meter jog in between Cool down 1 mile | 4 miles easy run | Rest day | Warm up 1 mile 2 x 15 minutes at 8:15-8:20 pace with 90 seconds in between 4 x 30 seconds at sprint/mile pace with 30 seconds rest Cool down 1 mile | 3-4 miles easy run | Long run 6 miles |
| Rest or 30-45 minutes cross-training | Warm up 1 mile 6 x 1 mile in 7:55-8:00 with 200 meter jog in between | 3-4 miles easy run | Rest day | Warm up 1 mile 2 x 20 minutes at 8:15-8:20 pace with 90 seconds in between 4 x 30 seconds at sprint/mile pace with 30 seconds rest Cool down 1 mile | 3-4 miles easy run | Long run 7 miles |
| Rest or 30-60 minutes cross-training | Warm up 1 mile 2 x 2 miles in 15:50 – 16:00 1 x mile in 7:50-8:00 4 x 400 meters in 1:55-2:00 with 90 seconds recovery Cool down 1 mile | 4-5 miles easy run | Rest day | Warm up 2 miles 10-12 x 100-200 meter or 30-60 second hill sprints 1 mile cool down | 4-5 miles easy run with 4 x 50-75m strides | Long run 8 miles |
| Rest or 45-60 minutes cross-training | Warm up 1 mile 1 x 2 miles in 15:40-16:00 5 x 1,000 meters in 3:55-4:00 with 60 seconds recovery Cool down 1 mile | 5-6 miles easy run | Rest day | Warm up 1 mile 35-40 minutes at threshold pace (8:15-8:20 min/mile) 1 mile cool down | 4-5 miles easy run with 4 x 50-75m strides | Long run 6 miles |
| Rest or 45 minutes cross-training | Warm up 1 mile 10 x 1,000 meters in 5:00 with 200 meter jog in between 4 x 200 meters at mile pace with full recovery Cool down 1 mile | 4-5 mile easy run | Rest day | 20 minute easy jog + 4 strides | 10k Race | Shake out or active recovery walk |
Good luck with your training!
After you crush the 50-minute barrier, check out our guide to how to run 10k in 45 minutes.
As a dedicated running enthusiast and seasoned marathoner with a personal best of 2:45:36, I bring a wealth of first-hand experience and knowledge to the discussion of the 10k race distance. Over the years, I've honed my understanding of training methodologies, race pacing strategies, and the intricate balance between speed and endurance.
Now, diving into the key concepts covered in the provided article:
1. The 10k Race Distance:
- Distance: A 10k is equivalent to 10,000 meters or 6.214 miles, catering to both metric and imperial systems.
2. 50 Minute 10k Pace:
- Pacing: To achieve a 10k in 50 minutes, one needs to maintain a pace of 8:03 per mile or 5:00 per kilometer. However, aiming for an 8-minute pace provides a buffer to break the 50-minute barrier.
3. How to Run 10k in 50 Minutes:
- Prerequisites: Suggests that attempting a 50-minute 10k is suitable for those who've already run a 10k in around 55 minutes or faster. Recommends being able to run 5k in under 25 minutes and one mile in 8 minutes.
4. Elements of Training:
- Training Plan: Outlines a comprehensive 6-week training plan involving long runs, speed workouts, threshold workouts, easy runs, hill repeats, strides, cross-training, rest days, and strength training.
5. 10km In 50 Minutes Training Plan:
- Weekly Schedule: The plan includes specific workouts on each day, focusing on intervals, hill sprints, long runs, and rest days. Emphasizes the importance of cross-training and strength training.
6. Training Plan Details:
- Workout Intensity: Specifies paces and durations for various workouts, such as 800-meter intervals in 4:00, 1,000-meter intervals in 5:00, and threshold runs at 8:15-8:20 pace.
7. Race-Day Advice:
- Final Preparations: Recommends a shakeout or active recovery walk before the 10k race, emphasizing the significance of a well-executed training plan.
8. Post-50 Minute Goal:
- Future Goals: Teases the next challenge of running a 10k in 45 minutes after achieving the 50-minute barrier, encouraging ongoing progress and improvement.
In summary, this article serves as a comprehensive guide for runners aiming to conquer the 10k distance in 50 minutes, combining theoretical knowledge with a practical and detailed training plan. Whether you're a seasoned runner or aspiring to break a personal record, the provided insights offer a strategic approach to achieve the desired goal.
