The 10K run is a long-distance road running competition over a distance of ten kilometres. Also referred to as the 10K road race, 10 km, or simply 10K, it is one of the most common types of road running event, alongside the shorter 5K and longer half marathon and marathon. It is usually distinguished from the 10,000 metres track running event by stating the distance in kilometres, rather than metres.
The 5K run is a long-distance road running competition over a distance of five kilometres (3.107 mi). Also referred to as the 5K road race, 5 km, or simply 5K, it is the shortest of the most common road running distances. It is usually distinguished from the 5000 metres track running event by stating the distance in kilometres, rather than metres.
The 15K run is a long-distance foot race. It is a rarely held race that is not recognized as an Olympic event. The overall world best time for men was set by Jacob Kiplimo en route the Lisbon Half Marathon. Excluding en route times both the world best for men and women were set at the Zevenheuvelenloop in Nijmegen, Netherlands. The world best for men is held by Joshua Cheptegei of Uganda who ran a time of 41:05. The women's world best is held by Letesenbet Gidey of Ethiopia who ran a time of 44:20.
Rhonex Kipruto is a Kenyan long-distance runner. Kipruto won the bronze medal in the 10,000 metres at the 2019 World Athletics Championships and was the world record holder for the 10 km road race, until he was stripped of both titles in June 2024 due to “a deliberate and sophisticated doping regime”. Prior to his result being annulled, Kipruto placed third on the half marathon world all-time list.
The following table shows the progression of world bests and world records in the 5K run, as recognised by the IAAF. The 5K run is a new event, having been introduced as a world record event in 2017.
The 20K run is a long distance foot race. It is a rarely held race that is not recognized as an Olympic event. The event held IAAF world championship status in 2006 only, when the existing IAAF World Half Marathon Championships briefly hosted the shorter distance.
Agnes Jebet Ngetich is a Kenyan long-distance runner. She won two medals at the 2023 World Cross Country Championships with bronze in the senior women's race and team gold. In January 2024, with a time of 28:46, she set the 10 km run world record in Valencia, breaking the previous record by 28 seconds. En route to this time, Ngetich also broke the 5 km run world record, splitting 14:13 at 5 km which was 6 seconds faster than the previous world record. Ngetich also holds the second fastest half marathon mark in history, at 1 hour 3 minutes and 4 seconds.
The 2024 10K Valencia Ibercaja was an Elite Label 10K run race held in Valencia, Spain on January 14, 2024. There was a world records set in this 10km.
The Castellón Marathon is an annual road-based marathon hosted by Castellón de la Plana, Spain, since 2010. The marathon is a World Athletics Label Road Race.
Janeth Chepngetich is a Kenyan long-distance runner. She won the 10,000 metres race at the 2023 African Games.
The 10K Valencia is an annual road-based 10K run hosted by Valencia, Spain, since 2009. The marathon is a World Athletics Label Road Race and a member of the Association of International Marathons and Distance Races. A 5K race is also held on the same day.
Joy Cheptoyek is an Ugandan long distance and cross country runner.
Liam Coffey (Wales)
Robert Drake (USA)
Ian Blackwood (AUS)
Toshiaki Kamata (JPN)
Matthews Motswarateu (BOT)
Zackariah Barie (TAN)
Arturo Barrios (MEX)
Addis Abebe (ETH)
Tendai Chimusasa (ZIM)
William Sigei (KEN)
Haile Gebreselasie (ETH)
Joshua Cheptegei (UGA)
