Breaking 3:00 at the Madrid Marathon
Even splits would be 4:16/km (6:52/mi). But Madrid 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
0–15 km
Net downhill through the city centre
4:11/km (6:44/mi)
15–30 km
Rolling middle at altitude
4:16/km (6:52/mi)
30–42.2 km
The long climb home — Madrid's real finish line
4:21/km (7:01/mi)
Split table
| Checkpoint | Split | Elapsed | Pace at this point |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 km | 20:56 | 20:56 | 4:11/km |
| 10 km | 20:56 | 41:52 | 4:11/km |
| 15 km | 20:56 | 1:02:48 | 4:11/km |
| 20 km | 21:21 | 1:24:10 | 4:16/km |
| Half | 4:41 | 1:28:51 | 4:16/km |
| 25 km | 16:40 | 1:45:31 | 4:16/km |
| 30 km | 21:21 | 2:06:53 | 4:16/km |
| 35 km | 21:47 | 2:28:39 | 4:21/km |
| 40 km | 21:47 | 2:50:26 | 4:21/km |
| Finish | 9:34 | 3:00:00 | 4:21/km |
Print this table or write the elapsed times on your arm — GPS pace is least reliable exactly when you need it most.