Breaking 3:30 at the Fukuoka Marathon
Even splits would be 4:59/km (8:01/mi). But Fukuoka 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
City Hall and Seaside Momochi — crowds settle, find your rhythm past Fukuoka Tower
5:00/km (8:02/mi)
10–30 km
Flat Hakata Bay coastal road — the PR-building stretch, hold even splits in the sea breeze
4:57/km (7:59/mi)
30–42.2 km
Approaching Itoshima — wind can build on exposed coast, stay composed to the finish
5:00/km (8:02/mi)
Split table
| Checkpoint | Split | Elapsed | Pace at this point |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 km | 24:59 | 24:59 | 5:00/km |
| 10 km | 24:59 | 49:57 | 5:00/km |
| 15 km | 24:47 | 1:14:44 | 4:57/km |
| 20 km | 24:47 | 1:39:31 | 4:57/km |
| Half | 5:26 | 1:44:57 | 4:57/km |
| 25 km | 19:20 | 2:04:18 | 4:57/km |
| 30 km | 24:47 | 2:29:05 | 4:57/km |
| 35 km | 24:59 | 2:54:03 | 5:00/km |
| 40 km | 24:59 | 3:19:02 | 5:00/km |
| Finish | 10:58 | 3:30:00 | 5:00/km |
Print this table or write the elapsed times on your arm — GPS pace is least reliable exactly when you need it most.