Breaking 4:00 at the Auckland Marathon
Even splits would be 5:41/km (9:09/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
5:43/km (9:11/mi)
15–18 km
Auckland Harbour Bridge — 45-metre climb to the iconic peak, run by effort
5:58/km (9:36/mi)
18–22 km
Descent into the city and Viaduct Harbour — recover and find your pace
5:34/km (8:58/mi)
22–35 km
Flat waterfront out-and-back to St Heliers Bay — settle in and hold splits
5:38/km (9:04/mi)
35–42.2 km
Return to Victoria Park — grind it out, the harbour views are the reward
5:41/km (9:09/mi)
Split table
| Checkpoint | Split | Elapsed | Pace at this point |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 km | 28:33 | 28:33 | 5:43/km |
| 10 km | 28:33 | 57:06 | 5:43/km |
| 15 km | 28:33 | 1:25:40 | 5:43/km |
| 20 km | 29:02 | 1:54:42 | 5:34/km |
| Half | 6:07 | 2:00:48 | 5:34/km |
| 25 km | 21:56 | 2:22:45 | 5:38/km |
| 30 km | 28:11 | 2:50:56 | 5:38/km |
| 35 km | 28:11 | 3:19:07 | 5:38/km |
| 40 km | 28:25 | 3:47:32 | 5:41/km |
| Finish | 12:28 | 4:00:00 | 5:41/km |
Print this table or write the elapsed times on your arm — GPS pace is least reliable exactly when you need it most.