Running Speed

Question
Hi, I have a couple of questions about running speed. I can currently run at up to 14 km per hour (on a treadmill).

I know 14 km per hour isn't fast, but would it be in the average range for a 24 year old male? By average I'm talking about the 25th to 75th percentile, where half of all people my age would fall.

I'm aiming for a running speed of 18 km per hour, my next question is, would running at 18 km per hour be considered above average for a 24 year old male, by above average, I mean the 75th percentile or higher (top quarter of people my age).

My last question is about treadmills. I know running on a treadmill is easier than running on a footpath. But is putting a 3-5% incline on a treadmill making it more like running on a footpath for fitness, agility and enduring? (e.g. if I could run 18 km per hour on a treadmill at a 3-5% incline, would I be able to run at 18 km per hour on a footpath?).

Regards

Mark

Answer
Mark, I'm terribly sorry it's been 3 days since you asked a question and I'm just now responding. I don't know what happened. I'll answer all 3 of your questions.

1) While I don't know of any normative values for percentiles I have a lot of experience with how fast people run so will give you my expert opinion. 14km per hour for 1 mile is near the 50th percentile for the average population in America for your a male your age.

2) 18 km per hour for 1 mile is near the 85th percentile for a male your age.

3) That's a very difficult question. Yes, you probably could run 18km per hour on a footpath if you could run 18km per hour at 3-5% incline. The difference between the 2 is that you have to propel yourself on a footpath as opposed to just getting your other foot in front of you and staying upright. That being said, there is a lot of carry over. Try inclining the treadmill at 18km per hour and try going up to 19 or 20km per hour and you'll see a lot of improvement.

Good luck Mark! Please don't hesitate to ask any more questions.