Breaking 3:05 at the Athens Marathon (The Authentic)
Even splits would be 4:23/km (7:03/mi). But Athens Marathon (The Authentic) isn't flat-even — the plan below redistributes the same finish time across the course the way experienced runners actually race it.
How to pace this course
0–10 km
Flat and slightly downhill past the burial mound
4:16/km (6:52/mi)
10–31 km
The famous grind — 20 km of steady climbing
4:35/km (7:23/mi)
31–42.2 km
Long descent into Athens and the marble stadium
4:07/km (6:37/mi)
Split table
| Checkpoint | Split | Elapsed | Pace at this point |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 km | 21:19 | 21:19 | 4:16/km |
| 10 km | 21:19 | 42:38 | 4:16/km |
| 15 km | 22:56 | 1:05:34 | 4:35/km |
| 20 km | 22:56 | 1:28:30 | 4:35/km |
| Half | 5:02 | 1:33:33 | 4:35/km |
| 25 km | 17:54 | 1:51:27 | 4:35/km |
| 30 km | 22:56 | 2:14:23 | 4:35/km |
| 35 km | 21:02 | 2:35:25 | 4:07/km |
| 40 km | 20:33 | 2:55:59 | 4:07/km |
| Finish | 9:01 | 3:05:00 | 4:07/km |
Print this table or write the elapsed times on your arm — GPS pace is least reliable exactly when you need it most.