Breaking 2:55 at the Paris Marathon
Even splits would be 4:09/km (6:40/mi). But Paris 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
Fast start down the Champs-Élysées
4:08/km (6:39/mi)
10–20 km
Rollers through Vincennes
4:11/km (6:44/mi)
20–33 km
Riverside — includes short tunnels
4:07/km (6:37/mi)
33–42.2 km
Bois de Boulogne drags late
4:11/km (6:44/mi)
Split table
| Checkpoint | Split | Elapsed | Pace at this point |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 km | 20:39 | 20:39 | 4:08/km |
| 10 km | 20:39 | 41:19 | 4:08/km |
| 15 km | 20:54 | 1:02:13 | 4:11/km |
| 20 km | 20:54 | 1:23:07 | 4:11/km |
| Half | 4:31 | 1:27:38 | 4:07/km |
| 25 km | 16:02 | 1:43:40 | 4:07/km |
| 30 km | 20:33 | 2:04:14 | 4:07/km |
| 35 km | 20:42 | 2:24:55 | 4:11/km |
| 40 km | 20:54 | 2:45:49 | 4:11/km |
| Finish | 9:11 | 2:55:00 | 4:11/km |
Print this table or write the elapsed times on your arm — GPS pace is least reliable exactly when you need it most.