Which rower is used for the PFT row?

A Concept 2 ergometer with a PM3 performance monitor or newer, as required by MCO 6100.13A.

How does altitude change the row?

At 4,500 feet or higher, Table 2-8 is used instead of Table 2-7. It moves the 100-point time and the slowest passing time 0:40 later. The altitude run table moves them 1:30 later.

Is the row exactly 5,000 meters?

Yes. The event ends when the monitor reaches zero meters, and the time is rounded to the nearest whole second.

Is there a limit on medical rowing?

Yes. Marines under 46 whose medical condition requires rowing for more than two consecutive years are referred to a medical evaluation board.

Does rowing build run fitness?

It builds general endurance, but it uses different muscles. A good row time does not guarantee an equally good run time.

Events guide

5K Row vs 3-Mile Run on the PFT

The row is an alternate cardio event with its own scoring table and its own rules on who may use it.

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6 min
Marines aged 46+ or with a medical recommendation to row
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Updated
22 October 2026
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By Abdullah · Web Developer

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Score your row time Standards

Quick answer

Marines aged 46 and older may choose the 5,000 m row instead of the 3-mile run. Marines 45 and younger may row only for an injury, medical condition or after giving birth, with a health care provider's recommendation and CO/OIC approval. The row has its own table (Table 2-7) in 5-second steps, and must be done on a Concept 2 rower.

To turn your own reps and times into points, use the Marine Corps PFT calculator.

Eligibility

When the 5K row is allowed on the PFT

Age 46 and older: your choice. Age 45 and younger: only with medical or post-partum approval.

MCO 6100.13A lets Marines aged 46 and older pick the 5,000-meter row instead of the 3-mile run, no approval needed. Marines aged 45 and younger may row only because of an injury or medical condition, or after giving birth, when a Privileged Health Care Provider recommends it and the commanding officer or officer in charge approves.

There is a limit for younger Marines: anyone under 46 whose medical condition requires rowing for more than two years in a row is referred to a medical evaluation board.

The row must be done on a Concept 2 ergometer with a PM3 monitor or newer. The row time is rounded to the nearest whole second, and the event ends when the monitor reaches zero meters. The passing rules for the other events are on the USMC PFT standards page.

Scoring

Run vs row — two different tables

The run is listed in 10-second steps, the row in 5-second steps, with different times.

The run uses Table 2-5 and the row uses Table 2-7. Both give 100 points at a fastest time and 40 at a slowest passing time for each age group and sex. The difference is the window between them: for a male Marine aged 17–20 the run goes from 18:00 to 27:40, while the row goes from 18:00 to 23:30. The row window is much narrower, so every second counts for more.

5,000 m row for men: 100-point and slowest passing time
Age group	100 points	Slowest passing time
17–20	18:00	23:30
21–25	18:15	23:50
26–30	18:30	24:10
31–35	18:45	24:30
36–40	19:00	24:50
41–45	19:15	25:10
46–50	19:35	25:35
51+	20:00	26:00

5,000 m row for women: 100-point and slowest passing time
Age group	100 points	Slowest passing time
17–20	21:00	26:30
21–25	21:15	26:50
26–30	21:30	27:10
31–35	21:45	27:30
36–40	22:00	27:50
41–45	22:15	28:10
46–50	22:35	28:35
51+	23:00	29:00

For a male Marine aged 46–50, the two events line up like this when the finish time on the clock is the same:

Same finish time, run vs row — male, age 46–50
Finish time	3-mile run points	5,000 m row points
19:00	100	100
20:00	95	96
21:00	89	86
22:00	84	76
23:00	78	66
24:00	73	56

The clock times are not comparable effort, of course: a 5,000 m row and a 3-mile run are different distances and use different muscles. The tables simply show what each finish time is worth.

Altitude

Altitude tables for run and row

At 4,500 feet or higher, separate tables add 1:30 to run times and 0:40 to row times.

Units at or above 4,500 feet use Table 2-6 for the run and Table 2-8 for the row. In every column, the altitude run table moves both the 100-point time and the slowest passing time 1:30 later; the altitude row table moves them 0:40 later.

Male, age 21–25: sea level vs altitude
Event	Sea level 100 points	Altitude 100 points
3-mile run	18:00	19:30
5,000 m row	18:15	18:55

The USMC PFT calculator has an altitude switch that uses these tables instead of the sea-level ones.

Choosing

How to choose when you have a real choice

Test both events in training, then compare the points, not the clock.

If you are 46 or older, row a timed 5,000 m and run a timed 3 miles in the same training week, then put both times through the calculator. Pick the event that scores more for you, and train it for at least a few weeks before the test.

For how the cardio score combines with the rest of the test, see PFT scoring explained.

Calculate your PFT score

Enter pull-ups or push-ups, plank time, and 3-mile run or 5K row for an instant total.

Open PFT Calculator

Calculate your CFT score

Score Movement to Contact, Ammo Can Lifts, and Maneuver Under Fire out of 300.

Open CFT Calculator

Help

Frequently asked questions

Answers specific to this guide — not duplicated from the calculator or standards pages.

Which rower is used for the PFT row?
A Concept 2 ergometer with a PM3 performance monitor or newer, as required by MCO 6100.13A.
How does altitude change the row?
At 4,500 feet or higher, Table 2-8 is used instead of Table 2-7. It moves the 100-point time and the slowest passing time 0:40 later. The altitude run table moves them 1:30 later.
Can I row if I am under 46?
Only for an injury, medical condition or after giving birth, when a Privileged Health Care Provider recommends it and your CO or OIC approves.
Is the row exactly 5,000 meters?
Yes. The event ends when the monitor reaches zero meters, and the time is rounded to the nearest whole second.
Is there a limit on medical rowing?
Yes. Marines under 46 whose medical condition requires rowing for more than two consecutive years are referred to a medical evaluation board.
Does rowing build run fitness?
It builds general endurance, but it uses different muscles. A good row time does not guarantee an equally good run time.

Wrap-up

Conclusion

The row is an open choice from age 46 and a medical or post-partum option before that. It has its own table with a narrower window than the run, and its own altitude table.

Score a recent row and a recent run in the PFT Calculator and pick the one that is worth more points to you.