Split table
Enter your goal time and distance and we build the table you can glance at on race day. Choose a negative split and the pace is distributed so the second half is faster.
For example 10 or 21.0975
For example 45:00 or 3:45:00
Pace
5:20 /km
42.195 km · 3:45:00 · Even pace
| Point | Segment | Elapsed |
|---|---|---|
| 5 km | 26:40 | 26:40 |
| 10 km | 26:40 | 53:19 |
| 15 km | 26:40 | 1:19:59 |
| 20 km | 26:40 | 1:46:39 |
| 25 km | 26:40 | 2:13:19 |
| 30 km | 26:40 | 2:39:58 |
| 35 km | 26:40 | 3:06:38 |
| 40 km | 26:40 | 3:33:18 |
| 42.195 km | 11:42 | 3:45:00 |
With an even pace every kilometre takes the same time. With a negative split the pace runs 2% above average in the first half and 2% below it in the second, while the total stays exactly on your goal time.
These are general ranges and assume normal conditions. Trail, heat, elevation gain, wind and technical ground all make the real time longer.
Frequently asked questions
(10)
What is a negative split?
Running the second half of the race faster than the first. It is the safest strategy over long distances: the few seconds given away early come back several times over at the end.
How do I use the table on race day?
Follow the 5K splits on your watch or on a paper band. If you are within 10-15 seconds of the table at each split, you are on plan.
What if I drift ahead of the pace?
Going ahead of the table in the first half is the most common mistake in the marathon and half marathon. Easing back when you are ahead works better than chasing the table when you are behind.
How much variation per kilometre is normal?
Plus or minus 5 seconds per kilometre is normal, and in a crowded start the first kilometre can be 10-20 seconds slow. Trying to win that time back immediately is the most common race mistake; gradient, wind and turns shift individual splits too, and only the total matters.
What pace do I need for a 4-hour marathon?
4:00:00 needs 5:41 min/km, 3:45:00 needs 5:20, 3:30:00 needs 4:59 and 3:00:00 needs 4:16 min/km. For a half marathon, 2:00:00 needs 5:41 and 1:45:00 needs 4:59 min/km.
Does my time start at the gun or at the line?
Chip (net) time starts when you cross the start line, gun time when the race is started. In big marathons the gap between the two can be 5-20 minutes for later corrals, so compare your result using net time.
Does a negative split really produce a faster finish?
Yes, it is the most efficient strategy in endurance races. Energy spent early costs double later, so running the first half 5-10 seconds per kilometre under target and opening up afterwards gives a better time off the same fitness. The exception is a course that finishes on a steep descent, where an even split is more realistic.
What is a pace band and how do I use it?
It is a small strip worn on the wrist showing the cumulative time at each kilometre. Print the cumulative column of this table and cut it out. In the race, check it when you pass a kilometre marker rather than when your watch beeps: GPS distance drifts, the markers do not.
How much time do aid stations and the start crowd cost?
A crowded start costs 10-40 seconds in the first kilometre and each aid station taken at a walk costs 10-20 seconds. Across eight stations in a marathon that is up to two minutes. Build the allowance into your target rather than trying to claw it back late.
What if my watch measures more than the official distance?
GPS watches usually show 42.4-42.8 km for a marathon, so your kilometre alerts arrive progressively earlier than the markers. By kilometre 40 the gap can be 300-600 metres. The splits in this table follow the official distance, so trust the markers.