Calories Burned Running 10 Miles

Written by Noleen Arendse
Reviewed by Gareth Chapman

The calories burned running 10 miles can range from 1,000 to 1,800 depending on your weight and pace. 

The average person burns about 100  to 180 calories per mile. The calories burned running 10 miles can therefore range from 1,000 to about 1,800 (or more). 

Average calories burned running 10 miles

The average calories burned running 10 miles can depend on several factors. The most common are your weight and running pace. 

Generally, you can expect to burn anywhere from 1,000 to 1,800 calories when running 10 miles.

For a better idea of how many calories you can burn, we recommend using our calories burned running calculator.

A good time to run 10 miles is 01:22:34.

The average pace is 8:15 min/mile. 

The average pace of running for men is around 7-8 minutes per mile (4-5 minutes per km) and, for women, 8-9 minutes per mile (5-6 minutes per km).

However, fitness level, age, and running experience will influence this. For more on running pace, read: Average pace of running

A good 10-mile time for men is 01:17:32 (an average pace of 7:45 min per mile). The average US male weighs about 200Ibs, which means the average calories burned running 10 miles would be 1547.

A good 10-mile time for women is 01:30:04 (9:00 min/ mile pace). For the average woman weighing 170Ibs, this would be about 1276 calories burned.

You can estimate to burn between 100-180 calories per mile depending on your weight.

Calories per mile table

The table below represents the calories per mile split when running 10 miles at an average pace of 8:15 min/mile. 

Weight (Ibs)Mile 1Mile 2Mile 3Mile 4Mile 5Mile 6Mile 7Mile 8Mile 9Mile 10
12093186279372465558651744837930
1301002003004005006007008009001000
1401082163244325406487568649721080
15011623234846458069681292810441160
16012424837249662074486899211161240
170131262393524655786917104811791310
180139278417556695834973111212511390
1901472944415887358821029117613231470
2001553104656207759301085124013951550
2101623244866488109721134129614581620
22017034051068085010201190136015301700
23017835653471289010681246142416021780

The most frequently used figure for calories burned running a mile is 100 calories per mile (or 60 calories per km). However, this is usually only typical if you weigh 140lbs. 

According to the CDC, the average American female weighs about 170lbs and the average male weighs 200lbs. [1]

At a 09:00 min/mile pace, the average female will burn approximately 128 calories per mile. This is about 1,276 calories burned running 10 miles.

At a pace of 7:45 min/mile, the average male will burn about 145 calories per mile. This is about 1,547 calories burned running 10 miles. If you’re planning to run a half marathon, read: Calories burned running a half marathon

Keep in mind that the calories burned running are an approximation, some people may burn fewer calories and others more. 

Your weight and running pace are the main factors that influence calories burned running 10 miles.

Impact of weight on calories burned running

The heavier you are, the more calories you’ll burn while running 10 miles. The reason for this is that there is physically more mass to move and your body needs more energy to power your run. 

Calories burned running 10 miles according to weight 

Impact of pace on calorie expenditure

The faster your pace, the more calories you’ll burn due to the high demand placed on your heart, lungs, and muscles.

In the chart below (for 170lb runner), you can see that at a slower pace, time comes into play with calories burned. The longer you run, the more calories you’ll burn. For more on this read: Calories Burned Running a Marathon.

The fitter an individual, the more efficient they become at burning calories. [2] Those runners who are super fit and can maintain a fast pace will generally burn fewer calories than less fit individuals. 

Impact of terrain on calories burned running

Running uphill is more demanding than running a flat course. If the course has frequent hills or is a steady uphill, you’ll naturally burn more calories. 

The table below shows a comparison of calories burned per hour on a flat versus a 5% incline (both running at 10 min/mile pace) compared to hilly terrain with an elevate of approximately 100m. 

Calories burned running an hour on a flat, incline and hilly terrain

WeightRunning Flat 10 min/mileUphill 5% gradientHilly Terrain – elevation of 100m
120531760948
1305758231027
1406208861106
1506649501185
16070810131264
17075210761344
18079711401423
19084112031502
20088512661581
21093013301660
22097413931739
230101814561818

Effect of running style - stride and cadence

Shorter strides are generally considered to be more energy efficient, which reduces overall calorie burn.

Longer strides use more of the larger muscles which will burn more calories.

Higher cadence (more steps per minute), is also generally considered to burn fewer calories and can also reduce the impact on your joints and muscles.

Environmental factors - weather and temperature

If it’s hot or humid, your body works hard to keep itself cool. Running against the wind will also burn slightly more calories due to the extra demand.

High altitude requires your body to work harder to absorb oxygen, especially if you haven’t adjusted to the altitude. This will cause your heart to beat faster and you’ll breathe heavier to absorb more oxygen. 

After a long or intense run, your body continues to burn calories to help with recovery – known as the afterburn effect. This results in about 5 – 15% extra calories burned. [3]

After an intense or long run, your body uses energy to replenish oxygen stores, remove lactate, repair microscopic muscle tears, and refuel energy stores.

To do that it needs extra calories. This is known as the afterburn effect or excess post-exercise oxygen consumption EPOC. [3]

Afterburn effect of running a marathon

Higher intensity and longer duration cause a greater EPOC. This can be between 5 – 15% extra calories burned. So if you’ve burned about 1,315 calories running 10 miles, you can burn between 130 to 200 extra calories.

Don’t count on EPOC for weight loss but if you follow a healthy diet that has a calorie deficit, any additional calories burned are a bonus. 

Attempting a 10-mile run without enough carbohydrates before and during for some runners, can lead to hitting the wall. Refueling after running 10 miles will help your body recover.

Snacks and meals to eat before running 10 miles

Hitting the wall is a complex phenomenon that has many factors. One of the main causes is that your body runs out of energy in the form of carbs which forces you to slow down so it can turn fat into fuel. [4]

You want to avoid hitting the wall at all costs. It will ruin your run. Apart from feeling exhausted, you’ll also experience severe muscle aches and struggle to even walk home.

One of the best ways to prevent this is to make sure you’re getting enough carbs.  You should eat a fist-sized portion of complex carbs 4-6 times in the 24 hours before doing an endurance run.[5]

Also, include a palm-sized portion of protein with every meal and snack 24 hours before your run.

For more ideas, read: What to eat before running.

Baked Sweet Potato
Baked sweet potato
Breakfast Smoothie
Berry oats smoothie
Scrambled Eggs
Pre-run meal scrambled eggs
Chocolate Milk
Chocolate milk

Meal and snack ideas

  • Porridge
  • Chicken and rice or couscous
  • Banana and peanut butter sandwich
  • Scrambled eggs and pitta bread
  • Baked sweet potato
  • Berry, oats, and peanut butter smoothie
  • Steak wrap
  • Rice pudding
  • Chocolate milk
  • Vegetable soup

As well as eating before running 10 miles, it’s a good idea to take a snack or energy drink with you to refuel during your run, especially if you’re running at an intense pace or a slower pace for longer. 

Snacks to eat while running 10 miles

After 60 minutes of running, you’ll need to take in some carbs to ensure that you don’t hit the wall. Eat something every 30-45 minutes after that. The image below shows a plan on when to eat when running for 2 hours.

What to eat while running 2 hours

Choose want-to-eat snacks that are easily and quickly absorbed into the bloodstream (high GI).

Be aware of options that may be choking hazards as you’ll be eating while running. 

Eating or drinking while running might feel strange at first so it’s vital to practice it. Your gut needs to be trained to get used to digesting while running. 

Energy Drink
What to eat while running sports drink
4 to 5 Jelly Babies
Jelly Babies - What to eat while running
Peanut M & M's
Peanut M & Ms
Dates
What to eat while running dates

Choose fast-release carbs that you enjoy eating such as:

  • Energy gels in your favorite flavors
  • Energy bars
  • Jelly Babies
  • Peanut M & M’s
  • Dates
  • Raisins
  • Sports drinks

If you enjoy more natural options, raisins are as effective as sports gels. [6]

Don’t forget to practice the best way to carry your snacks. While your favorite snack might look tempting initially, once it’s spent an hour in a sweaty shorts pocket, you might change your mind.

It’s also good to have a quick fast-release recovery drink available at the end of your run. For more on this read: What to eat while running. 

What to eat after running 10 miles

For about 24 hours after exercise, the body is primed to absorb nutrients optimally to help with recovery. This is known as the post-exercise recovery window. [7]

Both carbs and proteins are essential for post-run recovery. [5] Carbs refill glycogen stores and proteins help repair and rebuild muscles.

Aim to eat 3g of carbs per kilogram of body weight for the whole day. For protein, as a general guideline, include a minimum of 20g of protein in your first post-run meal.

For more on what to eat after running, read What to eat after running.

Ready-made recovery drinks are easy to prepare and are formulated with carbs, proteins, and electrolytes. They are an ideal solution if you’re wondering what to eat after running. The Recovery Drink below from Skratch Labs also has non-vegan options and includes electrolytes. 

You can also easily make your own if you prefer to stick to homemade options. 

Tropical Smoothie
What to eat after running tropical smoothie
Hot Chocolate
High intensity run - chocolate milk
Mocha Shake
What to drink after running mocha shake
Berry Banana Shake
Berry shake

Recipes for recovery drinks

TROPICAL SMOOTHIE

Ingredients

  • 200ml / 7 fl oz / 34 cup tropical fruit juice
  • 200g / 7 fl oz / 34 cup fat-free Greek yogurt
  • Handful of ice

Method

Place all ingredients in a blender and blend until mixed. 

RECOVERY HOT CHOCOLATE

Ingredients

  • 300ml / 10 1/2 fl oz / 1 ¼  cup skimmed milk
  • 25g / 10oz skimmed milk powder
  • 20g / 34 oz dark/butter chocolate (70%+ cocoa) broken into small bits

Method

  • Warm the milk and milk powder in a saucepan on low heat. Stir until the powder has dissolved. 
  • Add the chocolate pieces and stir until melted.

MOCHA SHAKE

Ingredients

  • 3 tsp unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1 tsp sugar
  • 1tsp instant coffee powder
  • 300ml/10 ½ fl oz /1 ¼ cups skimmed milk
  • 200ml / 7fl oz / 34 cup coconut water

Method

Place all the ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth. Serve over ice if you prefer. 

If you prefer filter coffee, reduce some of the liquid for the skimmed milk and coconut water instead. 

BERRY BANANA SHAKE

Ingredients

  • 62.5 g / 2.22oz / ¼ cup vanilla whey protein or vegan option
  • 1 cup frozen strawberries or blueberries, sliced
  • 1 small frozen banana or pineapple
  • 165 ml / 10.68 fl oz / ⅔ cup skim milk (oats/coconut/almond milk)
  • ½ cup tart cherry juice
  • 2 tsp honey

Method

Place all the ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth. One serving is a glass, so refrigerate the rest. 

Staying hydrated before and during a run is essential to your health and performance.

Make sure you are adequately hydrated before, during, and after running 10 miles.

To make sure that you are properly hydrated for your run, it’s important to make hydration a priority before your run. Generally, men need about 3.4 L per day, and women, 2.6 L per day. [8

However, keep in mind that this can vary quite a bit so it’s good to check your hydration levels by using a Runners Urine Chart

What to eat before running urine chart

How to work out your average sweat rate

Use shorter runs to work out your average sweat rate to get an estimate of how much fluid you’ll need for longer runs. 

  1. Weigh yourself before and after a run.
  2. Any weight you’ve lost will most likely be due to perspiration.
  3. Work out your average sweat rate per hour of running.
  4. Calculate how much liquid you need to carry on your run to replenish fluids during the run.

For example, a 1-hour test run shows that I lose 1.5Ibs of water. Therefore, my sweat rate is about 30 fl oz per hour (0.8 L). For a 2-hour run, I would need to carry 60 fl oz (1.6 L) in my backpack. 

As a general guideline, after your run, you need to drink about 1.5L of fluid (50 fl oz) for every kilogram (2.2 pounds) lost in body weight. [9]

Sports drinks can be useful here because not only will they replenish electrolytes, but they also contain carbs to keep your energy up.

Workout type, intensity, and body weight are the main factors that affect how many calories you can burn in an hour.

Generally, running burns more calories than most other exercises but plenty of workout types torch calories!

1 hour running versus other exercises

Weight Running Cycling HIIT Swimming Weight Lifting Walking
120 531 457 400 331 285 274
130 575 495 433 359 309 297
140 620 533 466 386 333 320
150 664 571 500 414 357 342
160 708 609 533 441 381 365
170 752 647 566 469 404 388
180 797 685 600 497 428 411
190 841 723 633 524 452 434
200 885 762 666 552 476 457
210 930 800 700 580 500 480
220 974 838 733 607 523 502
230 1018 876 766 635 547 525
One hour workout calories compared

The number of calories burned in an hour (no matter the workout type) depends on several factors and differs between individuals.

For a better idea of how many calories you burn, here are a few useful calculators:

While running burns calories, there are some common misconceptions about the number of calories burned and weight loss. 

Faster pace = huge calories boost

Calories burned running faster pace versus longer run

Running faster does burn more calories per minute… but the total gain might not be as much as you expect. 

Shorter, faster runs can burn fewer calories in total compared to a longer slower run.

For example, a 170-pound runner, running 3 miles in 30 minutes can burn about 397 calories. If the same runner runs 6 miles in 75 minutes, the calories burned running will be 789. 

Running is the ultimate calorie torcher

Running is the ultimate calorie torcher

While running is a great fat burner, it’s not the only show in town. Activities like high-intensity interval training (HIIT), swimming, and cycling can burn similar calories. Cross training can also help prevent injuries from over training. 

Every calorie burned shows on the scale

Every calorie burned shows on the scale

Don’t expect immediate weight loss solely based on running calories. Factors like diet, muscle gain, and overall energy expenditure play a bigger role. 

Celebrate overall fitness improvements, not just the numbers on the scale. 

All runs burn the same

Calories burned running - All runs burn the same calories

Not all runs burn the same number of calories. Terrain, incline, and wind resistance significantly impact calorie burn. 

Hill repeats or running against the wind will torch more calories than a flat, calm course. 

Empty stomach = maximum burn

Running on an empty stomach is not always the best strategy. Training low (without eating first) can teach your body to get better at using fat as fuel… but:

  • Keep your heart rate less than 60%.
  • Only train low once a week.
  • A higher heart rate or done more frequently can lead to a depressed immune system.

A few more misconceptions

Ignoring post-run burn: After a run, your body burns calories to repair muscle and restore energy. If your diet is on track, this can significantly increase your total calorie expenditure. 

Calories outweigh nutrition: Focusing solely on burning calories can backfire. Eat a balanced diet with adequate protein and carbs to fuel your runs and promote recovery. This will contribute to long-term fitness and overall metabolic health. 

Gadget reliance is everything: While heart rate monitors and calorie trackers offer data, they’re not always accurate. Individual factors and environmental conditions influence actual calorie burn. Use them as a guide, not the gospel. 

No pain, no gain: Pushing yourself too hard can lead to injury and hinder your fitness journey. Listen to your body, respect your limits, and gradually increase intensity and distance. This will help you avoid burnout and enjoy running in the long run. 

Training to run 10 miles will improve your heart, health, and fitness. It will also help you lose weight, strengthen your body, and improve your sleep. 

It takes about 12 to 24 weeks for a beginner to train to run 10 miles. During this time, not only will you experience several physical benefits but it will also improve your overall health and well-being. 

Boost cardiovascular health

Regular running strengthens your heart, lungs, and circulation and lowers your blood pressure. [10] 

This translates to a lower risk of heart disease, stroke and high blood pressure. 

Increases energy levels

Regular running improves your body’s efficiency at using oxygen. This leads to increased energy levels throughout the day. You’ll feel less fatigued and more capable of tackling your daily tasks. 

Enhances weight management

Running is an effective way to burn calories, this will help you lose weight and maintain a healthy weight. [11] 

Running also builds muscle mass which results in an increase metabolism which further helps with weight management. 

Strengthens bones and muscles

Running is a weight-bearing exercise, meaning it puts stress on your bones and muscles, stimulating them to become stronger.

This can help prevent osteoporosis and improve overall strength and coordination.

Improves sleep quality

Exercise like running can healthily tire your body, promoting better sleep quality and deeper sleep cycles.

Training to run 10 miles can help to reduce stress and anxiety, improve your mood, boost your self-esteem, and improve your cognitive function. 

Regular running will not only benefit you physically but will also improve your mental health.  

Mental benefits of training to run a half marathon

Reduces stress and anxiety

During a run, your body releases endorphins in your body which are natural mood-boosters that combat stress and anxiety.[12]  Regular running can also help you process the flight and fight response caused by stress and anxiety. [13] 

Boosts your mood and self-esteem

Regular exercise, including running, is associated with improved mood and increased self-esteem.

The act of achieving running goals can further contribute to feelings of confidence and positive self-perception.

Enhances cognitive function

Running promotes blood flow to the brain, which can improve cognitive function and memory.

It may also help protect against age-related cognitive decline.

Studies have shown that running helps to mitigate the effect of chronic stress on the brain particularly in the area of learning and memory. [14]  

The calories burned running 10 miles can vary from 1,000 to 1,800 calories depending on your weight. A 170Ibs runner will burn about 1,315 calories when running 10 miles. 

Yes, as a general rule of thumb, you can burn between 100 and 180 calories per mile depending on your weight. For a more accurate calculation, use a calories burned running calculator. 

The key factors that can influence the calories burned running 10 miles are your weight and running pace. Other factors include: terrain, environment and weather conditions. 

You can burn more calories by picking up the pace, adding hills into your run, and running into the wind. You can also try interval training by running at a fast pace for a certain period, followed by a recovery run for a certain period. 

Running 10 miles and training to run 10 miles can certainly help you lose weight. However, the most effective way is to follow a healthy, well-balanced diet that has a calorie deficit. 

Sources

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