Pace chart: Marathon
Required pace and speed for typical marathon finish times:
Running Calculator › Marathon Pace Calculator
Marathon Pace Calculator
Enter your goal time for the marathon (26.2 miles). The calculator shows the pace you need, your speed and every split – with a negative split if you like.
9:09/mi
6.6km/hmph
2:17per 400 m
2:00:00Halfway
Splits: Marathon
Even pace of 9:09 /mi.
| Distance | Elapsed | Pace |
|---|---|---|
| Mile 1 | 9:09 | 9:09 |
| Mile 2 | 18:18 | 9:09 |
| Mile 3 | 27:28 | 9:09 |
| Mile 4 | 36:37 | 9:09 |
| Mile 5 | 45:46 | 9:09 |
| Mile 6 | 54:55 | 9:09 |
| Mile 7 | 1:04:05 | 9:09 |
| Mile 8 | 1:13:14 | 9:09 |
| Mile 9 | 1:22:23 | 9:09 |
| Mile 10 | 1:31:32 | 9:09 |
| Mile 11 | 1:40:41 | 9:09 |
| Mile 12 | 1:49:51 | 9:09 |
| Mile 13 | 1:59:00 | 9:09 |
| Mile 14 | 2:08:09 | 9:09 |
| Mile 15 | 2:17:18 | 9:09 |
| Mile 16 | 2:26:28 | 9:09 |
| Mile 17 | 2:35:37 | 9:09 |
| Mile 18 | 2:44:46 | 9:09 |
| Mile 19 | 2:53:55 | 9:09 |
| Mile 20 | 3:03:05 | 9:09 |
| Mile 21 | 3:12:14 | 9:09 |
| Mile 22 | 3:21:23 | 9:09 |
| Mile 23 | 3:30:32 | 9:09 |
| Mile 24 | 3:39:41 | 9:09 |
| Mile 25 | 3:48:51 | 9:09 |
| Mile 26 | 3:58:00 | 9:09 |
| Marathon (finish) | 4:00:00 | 9:09 |
More options – positive split, clock times for spectators, pace band: Split calculator
| Finish time | Pace /km | km/h | Halfway |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2:30:00 | 3:33 | 16.9 | 1:15:00 |
| 2:40:00 | 3:48 | 15.8 | 1:20:00 |
| 2:50:00 | 4:02 | 14.9 | 1:25:00 |
| 3:00:00 | 4:16 | 14.1 | 1:30:00 |
| 3:10:00 | 4:30 | 13.3 | 1:35:00 |
| 3:20:00 | 4:44 | 12.7 | 1:40:00 |
| 3:30:00 | 4:59 | 12.1 | 1:45:00 |
| 3:40:00 | 5:13 | 11.5 | 1:50:00 |
| 3:50:00 | 5:27 | 11.0 | 1:55:00 |
| 4:00:00 | 5:41 | 10.5 | 2:00:00 |
| 4:10:00 | 5:55 | 10.1 | 2:05:00 |
| 4:20:00 | 6:10 | 9.7 | 2:10:00 |
| 4:30:00 | 6:24 | 9.4 | 2:15:00 |
| 4:40:00 | 6:38 | 9.0 | 2:20:00 |
| 4:50:00 | 6:52 | 8.7 | 2:25:00 |
| 5:00:00 | 7:07 | 8.4 | 2:30:00 |
| 5:10:00 | 7:21 | 8.2 | 2:35:00 |
| 5:20:00 | 7:35 | 7.9 | 2:40:00 |
| 5:30:00 | 7:49 | 7.7 | 2:45:00 |
| 5:40:00 | 8:03 | 7.4 | 2:50:00 |
| 5:50:00 | 8:18 | 7.2 | 2:55:00 |
| 6:00:00 | 8:32 | 7.0 | 3:00:00 |
| Finish time | Pace /mi | mph | Halfway |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2:30:00 | 5:43 | 10.5 | 1:15:00 |
| 2:40:00 | 6:06 | 9.8 | 1:20:00 |
| 2:50:00 | 6:29 | 9.3 | 1:25:00 |
| 3:00:00 | 6:52 | 8.7 | 1:30:00 |
| 3:10:00 | 7:15 | 8.3 | 1:35:00 |
| 3:20:00 | 7:38 | 7.9 | 1:40:00 |
| 3:30:00 | 8:01 | 7.5 | 1:45:00 |
| 3:40:00 | 8:23 | 7.2 | 1:50:00 |
| 3:50:00 | 8:46 | 6.8 | 1:55:00 |
| 4:00:00 | 9:09 | 6.6 | 2:00:00 |
| 4:10:00 | 9:32 | 6.3 | 2:05:00 |
| 4:20:00 | 9:55 | 6.1 | 2:10:00 |
| 4:30:00 | 10:18 | 5.8 | 2:15:00 |
| 4:40:00 | 10:41 | 5.6 | 2:20:00 |
| 4:50:00 | 11:04 | 5.4 | 2:25:00 |
| 5:00:00 | 11:27 | 5.2 | 2:30:00 |
| 5:10:00 | 11:49 | 5.1 | 2:35:00 |
| 5:20:00 | 12:12 | 4.9 | 2:40:00 |
| 5:30:00 | 12:35 | 4.8 | 2:45:00 |
| 5:40:00 | 12:58 | 4.6 | 2:50:00 |
| 5:50:00 | 13:21 | 4.5 | 2:55:00 |
| 6:00:00 | 13:44 | 4.4 | 3:00:00 |
Typical goals
- Sub 4:00:00: faster than 5:41 min/km (10.5 km/h)faster than 9:09 min/mi (6.6 mph)
- Sub 3:30:00: faster than 4:59 min/km (12.1 km/h)faster than 8:01 min/mi (7.5 mph)
- Sub 3:00:00: faster than 4:16 min/km (14.1 km/h)faster than 6:52 min/mi (8.7 mph)
How to pace a marathon
In the marathon, pacing decides between a great day and hitting the wall. Run the first half too fast and you'll pay from around mile 20 – when your glycogen runs low – with far more time than you gained.
- Even or negative: elite runners set their best times with an even pace or a slightly faster second half. Pick a negative split above to get matching splits.
- The first 10K: don't get carried away by the crowd. Ten seconds per mile too fast feels easy early on.
- GPS drift: your watch will often read 0.2–0.4 miles more than 26.2 at the finish. Build in a few seconds per mile of buffer.
- Pace band: with the split calculator you can print a compact pace band with all splits and aid stations.
- Heat: from around 68 °F a marathon costs noticeable time. The heat pace calculator shows how much slower to plan.
The race predictor estimates a realistic marathon time from your half marathon or 10K. For training, the training pace calculator gives you the right paces.
More calculators
Half MarathonPace and splits for the half marathonSplitsPlan your splits & print a pace bandHeat PaceAdjust pace for temperature & humidityTraining PacesEasy, threshold & interval paces
FAQ
What pace do I need for a sub-4 hour marathon?
Faster than 9:09 per mile on average. Because GPS watches usually measure 0.2–0.4 miles extra, aim for about 9:02–9:05 per mile on your watch.
What pace do I need for a sub-3:30 marathon?
Faster than 8:01 per mile, a little over 7.5 mph.
What pace do I need for a sub-3 hour marathon?
Faster than 6:52 per mile, or 8.7 mph – for the full 26.2 miles.
How long is a marathon?
A marathon is exactly 26.2 miles (42.195 km).