Run Pace Marathon Pace by Goal Time
Every marathon goal comes down to one number: the pace you hold for 42.2 km. The table below lists the most popular finish-time targets with the pace each one needs, per kilometre and per mile.
Open a goal for its full split table, the elapsed time you want at 5K, 10K, halfway and 30K, and equivalent times for shorter races, so you can check the target against your current form.
| Goal | Finish time | Pace (min/km) | Pace (min/mile) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sub-3 marathon pace | 3:00:00 | 4:16 | 6:52 |
| 3:15 marathon pace | 3:15:00 | 4:37 | 7:26 |
| 3:30 marathon pace | 3:30:00 | 4:59 | 8:01 |
| 3:45 marathon pace | 3:45:00 | 5:20 | 8:35 |
| Sub-4 marathon pace | 4:00:00 | 5:41 | 9:09 |
| 4:30 marathon pace | 4:30:00 | 6:24 | 10:18 |
| 5:00 marathon pace | 5:00:00 | 7:07 | 11:27 |
Frequently asked questions
What is a good marathon goal time?
It depends on your training and recent races. Many first-timers aim to finish under five hours, while experienced club runners chase sub-4, sub-3:30 or sub-3. Use a recent half marathon time with the equivalent race times on each goal page to pick a realistic target.
How much faster than marathon pace should I train?
Most of your running should be slower than goal marathon pace. Long runs often sit 30 to 60 seconds per kilometre slower, while tempo work runs a little quicker than goal pace to make race pace feel controlled.