Run Pace 5-Hour Marathon Pace
Required pace: 7:07 /km · 11:27 /mileFinish time 5:00:00
A five-hour marathon is about finishing strong rather than racing the clock. The average pace is 7:07 per kilometre, which leaves room for walk breaks, fuel stops and a steady, conversational effort.
Check the cut-off time for your race before you start. Many big-city marathons allow six hours or more, but some smaller events close the course earlier.
| Checkpoint | Distance | Elapsed time |
|---|---|---|
| 5K | 5 km | 35:33 |
| 10K | 10 km | 1:11:06 |
| Half | 21.1 km | 2:30:00 |
| 30K | 30 km | 3:33:18 |
| Finish | 42.2 km | 5:00:00 |
| Mile | Elapsed time |
|---|---|
| 1 mi | 11:27 |
| 2 mi | 22:53 |
| 3 mi | 34:20 |
| 4 mi | 45:46 |
| 5 mi | 57:13 |
| 6 mi | 1:08:39 |
| 7 mi | 1:20:06 |
| 8 mi | 1:31:32 |
| 9 mi | 1:42:59 |
| 10 mi | 1:54:25 |
| 11 mi | 2:05:52 |
| 12 mi | 2:17:18 |
| 13 mi | 2:28:45 |
| 14 mi | 2:40:11 |
| 15 mi | 2:51:38 |
| 16 mi | 3:03:04 |
| 17 mi | 3:14:31 |
| 18 mi | 3:25:58 |
| 19 mi | 3:37:24 |
| 20 mi | 3:48:51 |
| 21 mi | 4:00:17 |
| 22 mi | 4:11:44 |
| 23 mi | 4:23:10 |
| 24 mi | 4:34:37 |
| 25 mi | 4:46:03 |
| 26 mi | 4:57:30 |
| 26.2 mi | 5:00:00 |
| Race | Time | Pace (min/km) | Pace (min/mile) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5K | 31:17 | 6:15 | 10:04 |
| 10K | 1:05:13 | 6:31 | 10:30 |
| 10 Miles | 1:48:00 | 6:43 | 10:48 |
| Half Marathon | 2:23:53 | 6:49 | 10:59 |
Predicted with the Riegel formula (t2 = t1 × (d2/d1)^1.06). It is most reliable between similar distances.
Frequently asked questions
What pace do I need to finish a marathon in 5 hours?
Average 7:07 per kilometre, or about 11:27 per mile. That takes you through halfway in 2:30:00.
Is a 5-hour marathon slow?
No. Covering 42.2 km on foot is a major achievement at any pace, and five hours is close to the typical finish time for first-time marathoners in many large races.