How Long Should It Take a 10 Year Old to Run a Mile?

Running the mile is a standard assessment for physical health; once children enter the upper grades and middle school they will be expected to run a mile within a specific time constraint depending on their age. Not meeting the time limit for the mile might indicate that a child̵7;s physical fitness levels are below expectations for his age bracket. Depending on gender, it should take a 10-year-old less than 13 minutes to run a mile.

  1. Girl Times, Boy Times

    • According to the California Department of Education, male and female children are expected to run the mile within different time limits. A 10-year-old girl should be able to run a mile within 12 minutes and 30 seconds; some girls of the same age might run it within nine minutes and 30 seconds, however. In comparison, a 10-year-old boy should be able to run a mile within 11 minutes and 30 seconds. However, some 10-year-old males might run it within nine minutes.

    Running for President

    • The President̵7;s Council on Fitness, Sports and Nutrition sets higher standards for 10-year-olds interested in demonstrating physical fitness by running the mile. Students receive recognition for running the mile within the 85th percentile for speed. According to this standard, 10-year-old girls can be recognized for physical fitness by completing the mile within nine minutes and 19 seconds. Males of the same age can be recognized for completing the mile within seven minutes and 57 seconds. For students who want to run the mile within the 50th percentile for speed, girls must run the mile within 11 minutes and 22 seconds and boys must run the mile within nine minutes and 48 seconds.

    Race Against the Burnout Myth

    • Parents who want to encourage their 10-year-old to practice running the mile to improve speed can rest easy: it̵7;s a myth that excessive running can stunt a child̵7;s growth or wear out her joints and ligaments, according to Runner̵7;s World. As long as your child enjoys running, there̵7;s nothing wrong with allowing her to practice the mile in order to achieve better time. The article states that young runners can compete in marathons without facing additional risk for injury or delayed physical development if they have trained appropriately.

    Fun-Runs for Faster Miles

    • If your 10-year-old needs help meeting physical fitness standards by improving his mile, try to keep practice fun and positive. Join his in community fun-runs, teach appropriate technique, and reward his improvements in overall time, according to Road Runners Club of America. Some communities host events geared toward helping students meet their mile goals; parents can participate to promote family support and togetherness. Teaching a child to pace himself can help him avoid expending too much energy at the beginning, and then losing steam toward the end of the mile.

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