Breaking 4:00 at the Fukuoka Marathon
Even splits would be 5:41/km (9:09/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
5:43/km (9:11/mi)
10–30 km
Flat Hakata Bay coastal road — the PR-building stretch, hold even splits in the sea breeze
5:40/km (9:07/mi)
30–42.2 km
Approaching Itoshima — wind can build on exposed coast, stay composed to the finish
5:43/km (9:11/mi)
Split table
| Checkpoint | Split | Elapsed | Pace at this point |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 km | 28:33 | 28:33 | 5:43/km |
| 10 km | 28:33 | 57:06 | 5:43/km |
| 15 km | 28:19 | 1:25:25 | 5:40/km |
| 20 km | 28:19 | 1:53:44 | 5:40/km |
| Half | 6:13 | 1:59:57 | 5:40/km |
| 25 km | 22:06 | 2:22:03 | 5:40/km |
| 30 km | 28:19 | 2:50:22 | 5:40/km |
| 35 km | 28:33 | 3:18:55 | 5:43/km |
| 40 km | 28:33 | 3:47:28 | 5:43/km |
| Finish | 12:32 | 4:00:00 | 5:43/km |
Print this table or write the elapsed times on your arm — GPS pace is least reliable exactly when you need it most.