Garmin recently shared a treasure trove of data from millions of runners who use its smartwatches. The report gives us a fascinating look at how far people run, how fast they go, and how working out actually changes the human body.
But there is a small catch before we look at the numbers. Because this data only comes from people who bought a Garmin device and track their workouts, these runners are likely a bit more active and serious than the average person on the street.
Here is what the data tells us about how people are training today.
Most people stick to short and sweet distances
You do not need to run a full marathon to be a regular runner. In fact, the data shows that the vast majority of people keep their weekly mileage pretty manageable.
About 40% of the runners log between 6 and 10 miles each week. Another 28% run up to 20 miles a week, which is usually the distance people cover when they are getting ready for a half-marathon. Only a tiny slice of the running community—just 3%—goes above 31 miles in a single week.
How age impacts your running speed
It is no secret that our bodies slow down as we get older, but Garmin’s numbers show exactly what that looks like on the pavement.
Men in their twenties are the fastest group, clocking an average pace of about 5 minutes and 49 seconds per kilometer. This number includes every single run they tracked, even the slow recovery jogs. On the other end of the timeline, runners who are over 70 years old maintain an average speed of 6 minutes and 48 seconds per kilometer. The report also pointed out that runners living in Ireland, Portugal, and Italy tend to be the speediest overall.
More running equals a healthier heart
One of the coolest parts of the report is seeing how running directly influences your resting heart rate. Your resting heart rate is how many times your heart beats per minute when you are completely relaxed. A lower number usually means a stronger, healthier heart.
People who do not run at all have an average resting heart rate of 62 beats per minute. If you start running just a little bit, that number drops to 59. But for the serious runners who log more than 31 miles a week, their average resting heart rate drops all the way down to 55 beats per minute.
The rise of the hybrid athlete
Finally, the data highlights a major shift in how we exercise. People are no longer just choosing between running and lifting weights. They are doing both.
The number of “hybrid athletes”—people who mix strength training with cardio—grew by 23% compared to last year. It seems more and more fitness fans are realizing that lifting weights can actually make you a better, less injury-prone runner. You can see more details on the Garmin Official Blog.
Also Read:Â Massive Garmin Sale: Newest Watches Receiving Big Discounts Including Fenix, Venu, Enduro, Instinct & More
