Quick summary
- Sub-1:30: 4:16 per km (6:52 per mile), 42:40 at 10 km.
- Sub-1:45: 4:59 per km (8:01 per mile), 49:46 at 10 km.
- Sub-2:00: 5:41 per km (9:09 per mile), 56:53 at 10 km.
- Sub-2:15: 6:24 per km (10:18 per mile).
- Sub-2:30: 7:07 per km (11:27 per mile).
- Aim 1–2 seconds per km faster than the chart to allow for GPS drift and crowded starts.
The half marathon rewards good pacing more than almost any other distance. It's long enough that a fast start costs you dearly in the last 5 km, and short enough that you can run close to your limit the whole way. This chart gives the pace and checkpoint splits for every finish time from 1:10 to 3:30.
How to use this chart
Find your goal time in the first column. The next two columns show the average pace you need per kilometre and per mile. The split columns show where you should be at each checkpoint if you run evenly.
Use the 5 km split as a speed limit. If you're more than 20–30 seconds ahead of it, ease off: you're running on adrenaline, not fitness.
Popular goal times are in bold.
Half marathon pace chart: 1:10 to 3:30
| Finish time | Pace per km | Pace per mile | 5 km | 10 km | 15 km | 20 km |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1:10:00 | 3:19 | 5:20 | 16:35 | 33:11 | 49:46 | 1:06:22 |
| 1:15:00 | 3:33 | 5:43 | 17:46 | 35:33 | 53:19 | 1:11:06 |
| 1:20:00 | 3:48 | 6:06 | 18:58 | 37:55 | 56:53 | 1:15:50 |
| 1:25:00 | 4:02 | 6:29 | 20:09 | 40:17 | 1:00:26 | 1:20:35 |
| 1:30:00 | 4:16 | 6:52 | 21:20 | 42:40 | 1:03:59 | 1:25:19 |
| 1:35:00 | 4:30 | 7:15 | 22:31 | 45:02 | 1:07:33 | 1:30:03 |
| 1:40:00 | 4:44 | 7:38 | 23:42 | 47:24 | 1:11:06 | 1:34:48 |
| 1:45:00 | 4:59 | 8:01 | 24:53 | 49:46 | 1:14:39 | 1:39:32 |
| 1:50:00 | 5:13 | 8:23 | 26:04 | 52:08 | 1:18:12 | 1:44:17 |
| 1:55:00 | 5:27 | 8:46 | 27:15 | 54:31 | 1:21:46 | 1:49:01 |
| 2:00:00 | 5:41 | 9:09 | 28:26 | 56:53 | 1:25:19 | 1:53:45 |
| 2:05:00 | 5:55 | 9:32 | 29:37 | 59:15 | 1:28:52 | 1:58:30 |
| 2:10:00 | 6:10 | 9:55 | 30:49 | 1:01:37 | 1:32:26 | 2:03:14 |
| 2:15:00 | 6:24 | 10:18 | 32:00 | 1:03:59 | 1:35:59 | 2:07:59 |
| 2:20:00 | 6:38 | 10:41 | 33:11 | 1:06:22 | 1:39:32 | 2:12:43 |
| 2:25:00 | 6:52 | 11:04 | 34:22 | 1:08:44 | 1:43:06 | 2:17:27 |
| 2:30:00 | 7:07 | 11:27 | 35:33 | 1:11:06 | 1:46:39 | 2:22:12 |
| 2:35:00 | 7:21 | 11:49 | 36:44 | 1:13:28 | 1:50:12 | 2:26:56 |
| 2:40:00 | 7:35 | 12:12 | 37:55 | 1:15:50 | 1:53:45 | 2:31:41 |
| 2:45:00 | 7:49 | 12:35 | 39:06 | 1:18:12 | 1:57:19 | 2:36:25 |
| 2:50:00 | 8:03 | 12:58 | 40:17 | 1:20:35 | 2:00:52 | 2:41:09 |
| 2:55:00 | 8:18 | 13:21 | 41:28 | 1:22:57 | 2:04:25 | 2:45:54 |
| 3:00:00 | 8:32 | 13:44 | 42:40 | 1:25:19 | 2:07:59 | 2:50:38 |
| 3:05:00 | 8:46 | 14:07 | 43:51 | 1:27:41 | 2:11:32 | 2:55:23 |
| 3:10:00 | 9:00 | 14:30 | 45:02 | 1:30:03 | 2:15:05 | 3:00:07 |
| 3:15:00 | 9:15 | 14:52 | 46:13 | 1:32:26 | 2:18:39 | 3:04:51 |
| 3:20:00 | 9:29 | 15:15 | 47:24 | 1:34:48 | 2:22:12 | 3:09:36 |
| 3:25:00 | 9:43 | 15:38 | 48:35 | 1:37:10 | 2:25:45 | 3:14:20 |
| 3:30:00 | 9:57 | 16:01 | 49:46 | 1:39:32 | 2:29:18 | 3:19:05 |
Splits assume even pacing over the official 21.0975 km (13.1 miles) and are rounded to the nearest second.
Pacing strategy for a half marathon
Most runners run their best half marathon with even or slightly negative splits, meaning the second half is the same speed or a little faster.
- Kilometres 1–5: settle in at goal pace or 2–5 seconds per km slower. Let the crowd go.
- Kilometres 5–15: lock into goal pace. This should feel "comfortably hard": you can say a few words, not sentences.
- Kilometres 15–19: this is where the race is decided. Focus on form, keep your cadence up and hold pace.
- The last 2 km: whatever is left, use it.
A half marathon at race effort usually lasts long enough that a gel or sports drink around halfway helps, especially for finish times over about 1:30.
Picking a realistic goal
Your recent 10K time is a useful predictor of half-marathon pace, provided you've trained for the longer distance. A common rough guide is that a half marathon takes a little over twice your 10K time:
| Recent 10K | Typical half-marathon range |
|---|---|
| 40:00 | 1:28–1:32 |
| 45:00 | 1:39–1:44 |
| 50:00 | 1:50–1:56 |
| 55:00 | 2:01–2:08 |
| 60:00 | 2:12–2:20 |
If you're stepping up from 10K, our 10K to half marathon training plan builds the endurance you need. Planning a full marathon next? See the marathon pace chart.
Adjusting for conditions
- Heat and humidity: above about 15°C, expect to slow down as it gets warmer, especially if it's humid. Start conservatively. Our guide to running in hot weather explains how much.
- Hills: run uphills by effort and let the downhills give the time back. Judge your pace on the flat sections.
- Wind: tuck in behind other runners into a headwind; don't chase pace.
- GPS drift: watches often read 0.1–0.4 km long over a half marathon. Pace off the official course markers.
FAQ
What pace is a 2-hour half marathon?
A 2:00:00 half marathon is 5:41 per km or 9:09 per mile. Aim for about 5:39–5:40 per km to give yourself a small buffer.
What pace is a 1:45 half marathon?
A 1:45:00 half marathon is 4:59 per km or 8:01 per mile, passing 10 km in about 49:46.
What is a good half marathon time?
It depends on age, experience and training. For recreational runners, finishing times between about 1:50 and 2:30 are common. A good time is one that reflects your training and is faster than your last.
Should I run a half marathon at even pace?
Yes, for most runners even pacing, or a slightly faster second half, gives the best result. Starting too fast is the most common cause of a slow finish.
Do I need gels for a half marathon?
Not always. Runners finishing in under about 1:30 often manage on sports drink alone. For longer finish times, one or two gels or sports drink from around 40–60 minutes in can help maintain pace.