Breaking 3:45 at the California International Marathon
Even splits would be 5:20/km (8:35/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
5:18/km (8:32/mi)
10–32 km
Waves of rollers, net downhill
5:21/km (8:37/mi)
32–42.2 km
Flattens and drops to the Capitol
5:18/km (8:32/mi)
Split table
| Checkpoint | Split | Elapsed | Pace at this point |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 km | 26:31 | 26:31 | 5:18/km |
| 10 km | 26:31 | 53:03 | 5:18/km |
| 15 km | 26:47 | 1:19:50 | 5:21/km |
| 20 km | 26:47 | 1:46:37 | 5:21/km |
| Half | 5:53 | 1:52:30 | 5:21/km |
| 25 km | 20:55 | 2:13:25 | 5:21/km |
| 30 km | 26:47 | 2:40:12 | 5:21/km |
| 35 km | 26:38 | 3:06:50 | 5:18/km |
| 40 km | 26:31 | 3:33:21 | 5:18/km |
| Finish | 11:39 | 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.