Breaking 3:30 at the California International Marathon
Even splits would be 4:59/km (8:01/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
4:57/km (7:58/mi)
10–32 km
Waves of rollers, net downhill
5:00/km (8:03/mi)
32–42.2 km
Flattens and drops to the Capitol
4:57/km (7:58/mi)
Split table
| Checkpoint | Split | Elapsed | Pace at this point |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 km | 24:45 | 24:45 | 4:57/km |
| 10 km | 24:45 | 49:30 | 4:57/km |
| 15 km | 25:00 | 1:14:31 | 5:00/km |
| 20 km | 25:00 | 1:39:31 | 5:00/km |
| Half | 5:29 | 1:45:00 | 5:00/km |
| 25 km | 19:31 | 2:04:31 | 5:00/km |
| 30 km | 25:00 | 2:29:31 | 5:00/km |
| 35 km | 24:51 | 2:54:23 | 4:57/km |
| 40 km | 24:45 | 3:19:08 | 4:57/km |
| Finish | 10:52 | 3:30:00 | 4:57/km |
Print this table or write the elapsed times on your arm — GPS pace is least reliable exactly when you need it most.