PR means personal record. It is the fastest time you have run for a specific distance or event, such as a 5K, 10K, half marathon, marathon, mile, or track race.
If that was all you needed, you have your answer. The more useful part is knowing what counts as a PR, how PR and PB are used, and whether the next time you are chasing actually makes sense for your current fitness.
A PR is simple to define. Running one is the harder part.
Quick Answer: What Does PR Mean in Running?
PR stands for personal record. If your fastest 5K was 28:40 and you later run 27:55, then 27:55 is your new 5K PR.
PB means personal best. In everyday running, PR and PB usually describe the same thing. PR is especially common in the United States, while PB is common in Canada, the UK, and many other running communities.
There is no rule saying every runner has to track records the same way. I find it clearer to keep official race results separate from treadmill runs, training time trials, and favourite-route bests. You still get credit for the progress, but you know what you are comparing.
Already have a recent race time and a target? The calculator below gives you a quick check before you build a training plan around that goal.
PR Goal Calculator
Use a recent race to see what that performance roughly predicts for another distance, then compare it with your goal time and how long you have until race day.
