All pace guides / marathon
Sub-3:00 marathon pace and splits
For a sub-3:00 marathon, aim for 4:15 min/km. At even pace that gives about 2:59:20. The table and calculator link use this pace.
Split table
| km | Elapsed | Remaining |
|---|---|---|
| 5 | 21:15 | 2:38:05 |
| 10 | 42:30 | 2:16:50 |
| 15 | 1:03:45 | 1:55:35 |
| 20 | 1:25:00 | 1:34:20 |
| Half marathon | 1:29:40 | 1:29:40 |
| 25 | 1:46:15 | 1:13:05 |
| 30 | 2:07:30 | 51:50 |
| 35 | 2:28:45 | 30:35 |
| 40 | 2:50:00 | 9:20 |
| Finish | 2:59:20 | 0:00 |
Using the table on race day
Start under control and use the 5 km checkpoints to smooth out short pace changes. On a hilly course, even effort is often more useful than identical kilometers. The goal is a chosen plan, not an assessment of your fitness.
Pace and times use whole seconds. Sub-goals use a whole-second pace that beats the limit; tables use the min/km pace.
Frequently asked questions
What pace is needed?
The pace is 4:15 min/km, giving about 2:59:20 at even pace. The table uses this whole-second pace.
What if my GPS watch records a longer distance?
The table uses the official race distance, not GPS distance. Corners, your running line and measurement error can add meters on a watch. Check official course markers.