1.5-Mile Run (Cooper)
The 1.5-mile (2.4 km) run test measures aerobic endurance by timing how long it takes to complete the distance at maximal effort. The chart is widely referenced by US police academies, the FBI, and military branches. Data are from Physical Fitness Assessments and Norms for Adults and Law Enforcement (Cooper Institute, Dallas TX, 2013); the chart is labelled as drawn from Cooper Institute data (Cooper Clinic patients, self-selected for preventive-health assessment), so norms skew faster than population-wide averages. This source is an institutional monograph with no DOI and undisclosed sample sizes; it is the only publication providing full percentile tables by age and sex for this test. See the Cooper Test hub for cluster-wide source caveats.
How to Perform This Test (Protocol)
- Equipment
-
- Measured 1.5-mile (2.4 km) running course or track
- Stopwatch
- Protocol Steps
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- Warm up with light activity for 5-10 minutes before beginning.
- Start the stopwatch when the participant begins running.
- Complete 1.5 miles (2.4 km) as fast as possible using any running pace.
- Walking is permitted but will increase the time.
- Stop the stopwatch when the participant crosses the finish line.
- Scoring
Record the total elapsed time in minutes and seconds. Lower times indicate better aerobic fitness.
- Notes
The test should be performed on a flat, measured surface. Weather conditions, altitude, and course terrain can all affect performance. The Cooper Institute protocol requires maximal effort throughout.
Data source: Cooper Institute (2013 Monograph) About this study
1.5-Mile Run (Cooper) Norms Chart by Age and Sex (mm:ss)
| Age | Sex | Percentile | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5th | 25th | 50th | 75th | 95th | ||
| 20-29 | Male | 9:10 | 10:34 | 11:58 | 13:25 | 16:46 |
| Female | 10:20 | 12:07 | 14:15 | 16:43 | 21:05 | |
| 30-39 | Male | 9:31 | 10:59 | 12:25 | 14:10 | 17:30 |
| Female | 11:08 | 13:08 | 15:14 | 17:38 | 21:57 | |
| 40-49 | Male | 9:47 | 11:32 | 13:05 | 15:00 | 18:39 |
| Female | 11:35 | 13:58 | 16:13 | 18:39 | 23:27 | |
| 50-59 | Male | 10:27 | 12:37 | 14:33 | 16:46 | 21:40 |
| Female | 13:16 | 15:47 | 18:05 | 20:55 | 26:15 | |
| 60-69 | Male | 11:20 | 13:58 | 16:19 | 19:10 | 25:58 |
| Female | 14:28 | 17:34 | 20:08 | 23:20 | 29:06 | |
| 70-79 | Male | 12:25 | 15:38 | 18:39 | 22:22 | 30:34 |
| Female | 14:33 | 18:39 | 22:22 | 26:15 | 33:32 | |
What to expect by age group
| Age | Males | Females |
|---|---|---|
| 20-29 | 10:34 to 13:25 | 12:07 to 16:43 |
| 30-39 | 10:59 to 14:10 | 13:08 to 17:38 |
| 40-49 | 11:32 to 15:00 | 13:58 to 18:39 |
| 50-59 | 12:37 to 16:46 | 15:47 to 20:55 |
| 60-69 | 13:58 to 19:10 | 17:34 to 23:20 |
| 70-79 | 15:38 to 22:22 | 18:39 to 26:15 |
Detailed Breakdowns
Select an age group and sex below for detailed percentile charts, tables, and ratings.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are these norms faster than general population averages I've seen elsewhere?
This chart is drawn from Cooper Clinic patients — a self-selected population that opts into preventive-health assessment and is typically more physically fit than the general adult population. These norms should be treated as performance benchmarks for health-conscious adults rather than population-representative percentiles.
How reliable is the source data?
The Cooper Institute monograph is the industry standard for law enforcement fitness assessments and is widely cited in peer-reviewed research. However, it is an institutional publication (not a peer-reviewed journal article) and sample sizes are not publicly disclosed. No peer-reviewed study with equivalent age- and sex-stratified percentile tables for the 1.5-mile run was identified in the literature.
Is the 1.5-mile run the same as the 2.4 km run test?
Yes. 1.5 miles equals approximately 2.414 km. The test is widely referred to as the 2.4 km run test in Commonwealth countries and by organisations such as the British Army and New Zealand Police.
How does the 1.5-mile run relate to VO2 max?
Run time can be used to estimate VO2 max. The Cooper 12-minute run formula and similar equations use timed run performance to estimate aerobic capacity. However, the 1.5-mile run norms shown here are based on time rather than estimated VO2 max.
Related Metrics
Cooper Institute Fitness Norms
This test is one of about ten norm charts in the Cooper Institute's 2013 monograph. Law enforcement academies pick five to six of these tests to build their own field batteries.