The time it takes to run a mile varies widely depending on factors such as fitness level, age, sex, and effort. Here are some key points:

• For a beginner runner, the average mile time is about 10 to 12 minutes. As fitness improves, many runners can complete a mile in 8 to 10 minutes

• The average mile time for men aged 18–30 is approximately 7 minutes and 30 seconds, while for women in the same age group it is about 8 minutes and 43 seconds

• For older adults, mile times tend to be slower. For example, men aged 30–50 average around 8:26 per mile, and women in this age group average about 10:08 per mile

• The world record for the fastest mile is 3 minutes 43.13 seconds, set by Hicham El Guerrouj in 1999. The women's record is 4 minutes 12.33 seconds by Sifan Hassan in 2019

• Average recreational runners typically run a mile in about 9 to 10 minutes, with variations depending on training and effort level

• Factors influencing mile time include aerobic capacity (VO2 max), running economy, genetics, sex, age, and environmental conditions

In summary, a typical adult might expect to run a mile anywhere from about 7:30 to 12 minutes depending on fitness and demographics, while elite runners complete it in under 4 minutes