Breaking 3:30 at the Auckland Marathon
Even splits would be 4:59/km (8:01/mi). But Auckland Marathon 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
0–15 km
North Shore to bridge approach — rolling through Devonport and Takapuna suburbs
5:00/km (8:02/mi)
15–18 km
Auckland Harbour Bridge — 45-metre climb to the iconic peak, run by effort
5:13/km (8:24/mi)
18–22 km
Descent into the city and Viaduct Harbour — recover and find your pace
4:52/km (7:51/mi)
22–35 km
Flat waterfront out-and-back to St Heliers Bay — settle in and hold splits
4:56/km (7:56/mi)
35–42.2 km
Return to Victoria Park — grind it out, the harbour views are the reward
4:58/km (8:00/mi)
Split table
| Checkpoint | Split | Elapsed | Pace at this point |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 km | 24:59 | 24:59 | 5:00/km |
| 10 km | 24:59 | 49:58 | 5:00/km |
| 15 km | 24:59 | 1:14:57 | 5:00/km |
| 20 km | 25:24 | 1:40:21 | 4:52/km |
| Half | 5:21 | 1:45:42 | 4:52/km |
| 25 km | 19:12 | 2:04:54 | 4:56/km |
| 30 km | 24:40 | 2:29:34 | 4:56/km |
| 35 km | 24:40 | 2:54:14 | 4:56/km |
| 40 km | 24:52 | 3:19:05 | 4:58/km |
| Finish | 10:55 | 3:30:00 | 4:58/km |
Print this table or write the elapsed times on your arm — GPS pace is least reliable exactly when you need it most.