How Fast Can the Average Person Run a Mile?

By Staff WriterLast Updated December 08, 2023

The time it takes the average person to run a mile varies greatly, but most people can do it within seven to nine minutes. Fitness levels, age and gender are all key factors that determine a person’s one-mile time.

The average person may struggle to run a mile quickly if they have not put in the appropriate training. Males can generally run faster than females, and younger people have an advantage over older people. Those who are dedicated to a training regime should be able to run the mile in under seven minutes, and elite athletes should take less than five minutes to complete one mile.