Breaking 2:55 at the Boston Marathon
Even splits would be 4:09/km (6:40/mi). But Boston 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
0–8 km
Steep early descent — resist the free speed
4:05/km (6:34/mi)
8–26 km
Rolling, gradual net downhill
4:07/km (6:38/mi)
26–34 km
The Newton hills, ending at Heartbreak Hill
4:20/km (6:58/mi)
34–42.2 km
Downhill into Boston — if the quads survived
4:05/km (6:34/mi)
Split table
| Checkpoint | Split | Elapsed | Pace at this point |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 km | 20:25 | 20:25 | 4:05/km |
| 10 km | 20:30 | 40:55 | 4:07/km |
| 15 km | 20:37 | 1:01:32 | 4:07/km |
| 20 km | 20:37 | 1:22:09 | 4:07/km |
| Half | 4:32 | 1:26:41 | 4:07/km |
| 25 km | 16:06 | 1:42:46 | 4:07/km |
| 30 km | 21:27 | 2:04:13 | 4:20/km |
| 35 km | 21:24 | 2:25:38 | 4:05/km |
| 40 km | 20:25 | 2:46:02 | 4:05/km |
| Finish | 8:58 | 2:55:00 | 4:05/km |
Print this table or write the elapsed times on your arm — GPS pace is least reliable exactly when you need it most.