Breaking 3:45 at the Barcelona Marathon
Even splits would be 5:20/km (8:35/mi). But Barcelona 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
Gentle climbs through the upper city
5:24/km (8:41/mi)
15–42.2 km
Net descent to the sea — the fast half
5:18/km (8:32/mi)
Split table
| Checkpoint | Split | Elapsed | Pace at this point |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 km | 26:58 | 26:58 | 5:24/km |
| 10 km | 26:58 | 53:57 | 5:24/km |
| 15 km | 26:58 | 1:20:55 | 5:24/km |
| 20 km | 26:29 | 1:47:24 | 5:18/km |
| Half | 5:49 | 1:53:13 | 5:18/km |
| 25 km | 20:41 | 2:13:54 | 5:18/km |
| 30 km | 26:29 | 2:40:23 | 5:18/km |
| 35 km | 26:29 | 3:06:53 | 5:18/km |
| 40 km | 26:29 | 3:33:22 | 5:18/km |
| Finish | 11:38 | 3:45:00 | 5:18/km |
Print this table or write the elapsed times on your arm — GPS pace is least reliable exactly when you need it most.