Breaking 3:30 at the London Marathon
Even splits would be 4:59/km (8:01/mi). But London 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
0–5 km
Downhill start from Blackheath
4:54/km (7:54/mi)
5–35 km
4:59/km (8:01/mi)
35–42.2 km
Twisty stretch along the Embankment; crowds carry you home
5:01/km (8:05/mi)
Split table
| Checkpoint | Split | Elapsed | Pace at this point |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 km | 24:31 | 24:31 | 4:54/km |
| 10 km | 24:54 | 49:25 | 4:59/km |
| 15 km | 24:54 | 1:14:19 | 4:59/km |
| 20 km | 24:54 | 1:39:12 | 4:59/km |
| Half | 5:28 | 1:44:40 | 4:59/km |
| 25 km | 19:26 | 2:04:06 | 4:59/km |
| 30 km | 24:54 | 2:29:00 | 4:59/km |
| 35 km | 24:54 | 2:53:53 | 4:59/km |
| 40 km | 25:06 | 3:18:59 | 5:01/km |
| Finish | 11:01 | 3:30:00 | 5:01/km |
Print this table or write the elapsed times on your arm — GPS pace is least reliable exactly when you need it most.