Breaking 2:55 at the California International Marathon
Even splits would be 4:09/km (6:40/mi). But California International 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
0–10 km
Rolling descent — don't redline the downs
4:08/km (6:38/mi)
10–32 km
Waves of rollers, net downhill
4:10/km (6:42/mi)
32–42.2 km
Flattens and drops to the Capitol
4:08/km (6:38/mi)
Split table
| Checkpoint | Split | Elapsed | Pace at this point |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 km | 20:38 | 20:38 | 4:08/km |
| 10 km | 20:38 | 41:15 | 4:08/km |
| 15 km | 20:50 | 1:02:06 | 4:10/km |
| 20 km | 20:50 | 1:22:56 | 4:10/km |
| Half | 4:34 | 1:27:30 | 4:10/km |
| 25 km | 16:16 | 1:43:46 | 4:10/km |
| 30 km | 20:50 | 2:04:36 | 4:10/km |
| 35 km | 20:43 | 2:25:19 | 4:08/km |
| 40 km | 20:38 | 2:45:57 | 4:08/km |
| Finish | 9:03 | 2:55:00 | 4:08/km |
Print this table or write the elapsed times on your arm — GPS pace is least reliable exactly when you need it most.