Courses

5k Parkruns – Are they long? Short or Spot on 5k

20 October 2010
the5krunner

I was interested to read that last weekend’s half marathon in Cardiff was almost 200m short. Here is the link.

That was a professionally organised event yet it was still short. And that begs the question “How accurate are the measured 5k Parkruns?”

I have heard several people saying that the parkruns are out by X meters here and there.

However here is my take:

1. My Garmin 305 GPS is accurate consistently on a 400m track to 1m or 5m over 1000m on a running track. That is more than 99% accurate AND that is not striaght line accuracy.

2. I probably do not run the exact minimum distance of 1000m and deviate off the line slightly.

I can conclude from that that my Garmin is 99% accurate.

3. Over all parkruns that I undertake (nearly 100) I find that the distance I measure varies each time

4. I find that the distance is up to 5050m long ie 5% more.

5. All parkruns are professionally measured

I conclude from all that, that I do not run the optimum route and that the course is correctly measured!

Related Articles

Last Updated on 13 November 2025 by the5krunner

My favourite kit and nutrition

  • Injinji – Runners protect your toes. Avoid discomfort and minor injury. Run more. run faster. I use them.
  • Garmin 90-degree charging adapter — the small adapter that keeps your charging cable tidy at the stem. Essential for race day. I use one.
  • Garmin charging puck — the fastest and most reliable way to top up your Garmin before a session. I use one.
  • Ravemen FR300 — front light that mounts directly under your Garmin or Wahoo head unit. Keeps your bars clean and your beam pointed where it matters. I use one.
  • Body Glide – The Blue anti-chafe stick that all swimmers and many runners use. I use it.
  • Maurten — the race nutrition trusted by elite athletes. Gels and drink mix engineered to be easy on the stomach. I use them.
  • Garmin Varia RTL515 — radar rear light that alerts you to vehicles approaching from behind. Pairs with your Edge or Garmin watch. I use this model.
  • Favero Assioma Pro RS2 — the power meter pedals most serious cyclists end up choosing. Accurate, easy to move between bikes. I use this model.

Reader-Powered Content

Buy me a coffee

This content is not sponsored. It’s mostly me behind the labour of love, which is this site, and I appreciate everyone who supports it.

Support the site: Follow (free, fewer ads) · Subscribe (paid, ad-free) · Buy Me A Coffee ❤️

All articles are written by real people, fact-checked, and verified for originality. See the Editorial Policy. FTC: Affiliate Disclosure — some links pay commission. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.