Marathon Pace Calculator

Beginners: 4:30-5:30. Intermediate: 3:30-4:30. Advanced: 3:00-3:30. Elite: under 2:10 (men) / under 2:25 (women). The average marathon finish time is about 4:20-4:30.

Sub-4-hour requires 9:09/mile or 5:41/km. You need to sustain that pace for 26.2 miles. Most training plans recommend being able to comfortably run a half marathon in under 1:50 before attempting sub-4.

Running the second half faster than the first. For a 4-hour goal, run the first half in 2:02-2:03 and the second in 1:57-1:58. This is widely considered the optimal marathon strategy as it prevents early burnout.