How Many Calories Are Burned During a 5K Run?

If you've just finished a 5K or you plan to in the near future, it's likely you'll want to celebrate the exhilarating feeling of crossing the finish line. While you should celebrate your accomplishment, just be careful your celebration doesn't go overboard. The calories you burn during your 3.1-mile run aren't enough to compensate refueling with a delicious pastry or slogging back a whipped cream-topped double latte coffee drink, as most people will only burn off between 300 and 400 calories during a 5K (3.1 miles).

A 5K can add to your weekly caloric deficit. (Image: Solovyova/iStock/Getty Images)

To calculate the number of calories expended during a 5K race, there are primarily two major factors to consider-size and speed. Below are the calculations to help you figure out what that looks like for you and some healthy snack ideas that won't totally negate the hard work you put in during your race.

Burn More Calories During Your Run

The amount of calories a person uses during exercise is dependent on the intensity (speed or incline) and the individual's body mass. The old rule of thumb is that one mile of running equals 100 calories burned. However, petite people don't expend the same amount of calories in the same amount of time as a larger person. For example, based on data from the U.S. Army, a 100-pound person running for one hour at 5 mph burns 384 calories, while a 200-pound person burns 768. Running faster also burns more calories. A 150-pound person running for one hour at 5 mph burns 576 calories, yet at 10 mph, burns 900 calories.

Many environmental conditions can also increase or decrease calorie burn while running, including temperature extremes, varied terrain and windy conditions. Additionally, the level of your fitness can affect your calorie-burning ability. According to Brian Mac, a British track and field coach, research shows that highly conditioned athletes will burn fewer calories than a less fit person of identical size for the same exact workout. The rationale is that the trained runners perform at a lower percentage of aerobic capacity than the untrained person and therefore require fewer calories to support their oxygen intake.

Calculate Exactly How Much You Burn

The Army Fitness Manuals lists formulas for calculating calories burned based on body weight. Instead of being measured by mile, the result is measured by minute. So to calculate your 5K calorie burn, record your total finish time and plug it into the formula.

Running at 5 mph (12-minute mile) burns 0.064 calories per minute per pound of body weight Running at 6 mph (10-minute mile) burns 0.079 calories per minute per pound of body weight Running at 10 mph (6-minute mile) burns 0.1 calories per minute per pound of body weight Running at 12 mph (5-minute mile) burns 0.13 calories per minute per pound of body weight

So for example, if you weight 150 pounds and run at 5 mph, means your calculation looks like this: 0.064 x 150 pounds x 37.2 = 357 calories burned in 5K. Keep in mind, with the above chart, running at 5 mph means you're running for 37.2 minutes, 6 mph gives you a 31-minute finish time, and 10 mph and 12 mph mean you finish in 18.6 minutes and 15.5 minutes, respectively.

Balance Calories In With Calories Out

Use apps on your phone like Livestrong.com's MyPlate to track your daily calories. (Image: monkeybusinessimages/iStock/Getty Images)

While this formula can be used to keep track of how many calories you burn running in both 5K races and everyday training, you'll still need to track the other side of the equation-the calories you consume. By keeping keeping track in a journal or by logging your meals and exercise in Livestrong.com's MyPlate Calorie Tracker, you can see your weekly totals to find out if you've burned enough calories to lose a pound-a 3,500-calorie deficit. This represents approximately ten 5Ks for the average person.

But if you're not trying to lose weight, the good news is that a chocolate éclair (sized five inches by two inches) has only 262 calories, leaving you wiggle room to put cream in your coffee after your big race.

Post-Race Snacks Under 200 Calories

Snack smarter to help keep your weight in check. (Image: robynmac/iStock/Getty Images)

If you're trying to lose weight but still crave a delicious snack after your race, here are some options:

-One-quarter cup of trail mix of dried fruit, nuts and seeds (175 calories) -Raspberry and Greek yogurt parfait (190 calories) -A cup of fresh veggie sticks with 1/4 cup guacamole (130 calories) -Whole wheat pita chips and salsa (200 calories) -Smoothie with one cup reduced-fat coconut milk, 1/2-cup fresh or frozen berries and 1/2-cup fresh mango (180 calories) -Hard-boiled eggs (75 calories each) -Banana chips from a medium, seven-inch banana (105 calories) -Ants on a log: two stalks of celery with one tablespoon nut butter and 1/4 cup dried currants, or raisins (195 calories) -Baked potato chips (190 calories)

And yes, at around 150 to 200 calories, you can also enjoy a post-run beer as a celebration.

Get Ready for Your Next Race

The longer you run, the more calories you burn. (Image: littlehenrabi/iStock/Getty Images)

Already looking forward to your next race? Maybe you want to conquer an even greater distance this time. Here's exactly how far you'll run in each race and the approximation of how many calories you'll burn during each (based on a 150-pound person).

A 10K equals 6.2 miles and burns between 500 and 700 calories. A 15K equals 9.3 miles and burns between 800 and 1,000 calories. A half-marathon equals 13.1 miles and burns between 1,100 and 1,500 calories. A marathon equals 26.2 miles and burns between 2,300 and 3,000 calories. An ultra marathon is anything over 26.2 miles (but we'll say 50 miles for this example) and burns between 4,500 and 5,700 calories.