Breaking 3:00 at the Paris Marathon
Even splits would be 4:16/km (6:52/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
4:15/km (6:50/mi)
10–20 km
Rollers through Vincennes
4:18/km (6:55/mi)
20–33 km
Riverside — includes short tunnels
4:14/km (6:48/mi)
33–42.2 km
Bois de Boulogne drags late
4:18/km (6:55/mi)
Split table
| Checkpoint | Split | Elapsed | Pace at this point |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 km | 21:15 | 21:15 | 4:15/km |
| 10 km | 21:15 | 42:30 | 4:15/km |
| 15 km | 21:30 | 1:04:00 | 4:18/km |
| 20 km | 21:30 | 1:25:30 | 4:18/km |
| Half | 4:38 | 1:30:08 | 4:14/km |
| 25 km | 16:30 | 1:46:38 | 4:14/km |
| 30 km | 21:08 | 2:07:47 | 4:14/km |
| 35 km | 21:17 | 2:29:04 | 4:18/km |
| 40 km | 21:30 | 2:50:34 | 4:18/km |
| Finish | 9:26 | 3:00:00 | 4:18/km |
Print this table or write the elapsed times on your arm — GPS pace is least reliable exactly when you need it most.