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Marathon pace chart

A marathon pace chart for common finish times, plus how to use it without obsessing over splits. Includes links to a pace calculator and race time predictor.

Last updated/Feb 15, 2026, 03:55 PM

Marathon pace chart (common finish times)

Finish timePace / milePace / km
3:006:524:16
3:157:264:37
3:308:014:59
3:458:355:20
4:009:095:41
4:159:446:03
4:3010:186:24
4:4510:526:45
5:0011:277:07

How to use this chart (without overthinking)

  • Use pace charts to sanity-check goal ranges.
  • Train by effort on easy runs.
  • Use workouts + long runs to dial in what’s realistic.

Tools:

Related charts:

Put this into action

Open the plan and tool that match this guide

Recommended plans

Plan

16-week marathon plan

Open the full plan, then keep variations and adaptation rules in one place instead of juggling tabs.

Plan

18-week marathon plan

Open the full plan, then keep variations and adaptation rules in one place instead of juggling tabs.

Recommended tools

Tool

Running pace calculator

Run the numbers now so your pacing, splits, or fueling defaults are already decided.

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Race time predictor

Run the numbers now so your pacing, splits, or fueling defaults are already decided.

Tool

Marathon fueling planner

Run the numbers now so your pacing, splits, or fueling defaults are already decided.

Worksheet

Use this before you choose

Goal worksheet

  • • My A/B/C goals are: ____ / ____ / ____
  • • My goal pace per mile/km is: ____ / ____
  • • My fueling plan is: ____ (carbs/h + timing)

Checklist

Do this, not that

Pace chart checklist

  • • I treat this as a planning tool, not a daily target.
  • • My easy runs stay conversational (not pace-chasing).
  • • I test goal pace in workouts and long runs before race day.
  • • I practice fueling — pace depends on energy availability.
  • • I plan a pace range (conditions change), not one perfect number.

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FAQs

Should I pace a marathon by exact splits?

Not usually. Pace by effort and conditions, then use splits as guardrails. Terrain, wind, and heat change what’s realistic.

How do I pick a realistic pace?

Use recent races and repeatable workouts. A predictor tool can convert one performance to another distance, but execution and fueling matter.

Why does fueling affect pace?

Because glycogen is finite. If you underfuel, pace drifts late even when fitness is adequate. Practice fueling early in training.

Keep going

16-Week Marathon Training Plan

A 16-week marathon training plan with week-by-week structure, workouts, adaptation rules, and built-in pace + fueling tools. Variations are included on one page.

18-Week Marathon Training Plan

A 18-week marathon training plan with week-by-week structure, workouts, adaptation rules, and built-in pace + fueling tools. Variations are included on one page.

Half Marathon Pace Chart (Splits per Mile + per KM)

A half marathon pace chart for common finish times, plus how to set realistic goals and pace by effort. Includes links to a pace calculator and race time predictor.

10K Pace Chart (Splits per Mile + per KM)

A simple 10K pace chart for common finish times, plus how to set realistic targets and pace by effort. Includes links to a pace calculator and race time predictor.

5K Pace Chart (Splits per Mile + per KM)

A simple 5K pace chart for common finish times, plus pacing rules to avoid going out too hard. Includes links to a pace calculator and race time predictor.

Sources