For many novice runners, five kilometers (5,000 meters, or 3.1 miles) is the first competitive distance they try. It’s their first race T-shirt and their introduction to the world of road racing. 5K races are fun to run and easy to race. Unlike marathons, you don’t need to spend 18 weeks training specifically for them, and recovery time is measured in days, not weeks. Below are links to additional tips and best practices: