The 2-mile treadmill run is widely used by military organizations as a fitness assessment. Average completion times range from 15 to 27 minutes depending on age and fitness. The U.S. Army uses the 2-mile run as part of its Army Physical Fitness Test (APFT).
Average 2-Mile Treadmill Run Time by Age
Minutes — Male vs Female
2-Mile Run Performance Standards
- Elite: Under 12:00 (men) / Under 14:00 (women)
- Advanced: 12:00-15:00 (men) / 14:00-17:00 (women)
- Intermediate: 15:00-18:00 (men) / 17:00-21:00 (women)
- Beginner: 18:00-23:00 (men) / 21:00-27:00 (women)
Pacing Strategy for 2 Miles
The key to a strong 2-mile time is even pacing. Start at a speed you can maintain for the full distance. Many runners make the mistake of starting too fast and fading in the second mile. On a treadmill, set your target speed and resist the urge to increase it in the first half mile. Save any speed increase for the final quarter mile.
Analyze your 2-mile run performance with our 6-Mile Run Benchmark Calculator.