Breaking 3:05 at the California International Marathon
Even splits would be 4:23/km (7:03/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
4:22/km (7:01/mi)
10–32 km
Waves of rollers, net downhill
4:24/km (7:05/mi)
32–42.2 km
Flattens and drops to the Capitol
4:22/km (7:01/mi)
Split table
| Checkpoint | Split | Elapsed | Pace at this point |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 km | 21:48 | 21:48 | 4:22/km |
| 10 km | 21:48 | 43:37 | 4:22/km |
| 15 km | 22:02 | 1:05:39 | 4:24/km |
| 20 km | 22:02 | 1:27:40 | 4:24/km |
| Half | 4:50 | 1:32:30 | 4:24/km |
| 25 km | 17:12 | 1:49:42 | 4:24/km |
| 30 km | 22:02 | 2:11:43 | 4:24/km |
| 35 km | 21:54 | 2:33:37 | 4:22/km |
| 40 km | 21:48 | 2:55:26 | 4:22/km |
| Finish | 9:34 | 3:05:00 | 4:22/km |
Print this table or write the elapsed times on your arm — GPS pace is least reliable exactly when you need it most.