Breaking 3:45 at the Fukuoka Marathon
Even splits would be 5:20/km (8:35/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
5:21/km (8:37/mi)
10–30 km
Flat Hakata Bay coastal road — the PR-building stretch, hold even splits in the sea breeze
5:19/km (8:33/mi)
30–42.2 km
Approaching Itoshima — wind can build on exposed coast, stay composed to the finish
5:21/km (8:37/mi)
Split table
| Checkpoint | Split | Elapsed | Pace at this point |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 km | 26:46 | 26:46 | 5:21/km |
| 10 km | 26:46 | 53:32 | 5:21/km |
| 15 km | 26:33 | 1:20:05 | 5:19/km |
| 20 km | 26:33 | 1:46:38 | 5:19/km |
| Half | 5:50 | 1:52:27 | 5:19/km |
| 25 km | 20:43 | 2:13:11 | 5:19/km |
| 30 km | 26:33 | 2:39:44 | 5:19/km |
| 35 km | 26:46 | 3:06:29 | 5:21/km |
| 40 km | 26:46 | 3:33:15 | 5:21/km |
| Finish | 11:45 | 3:45:00 | 5:21/km |
Print this table or write the elapsed times on your arm — GPS pace is least reliable exactly when you need it most.