Breaking 3:05 at the Paris Marathon
Even splits would be 4:23/km (7:03/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
4:22/km (7:02/mi)
10–20 km
Rollers through Vincennes
4:25/km (7:07/mi)
20–33 km
Riverside — includes short tunnels
4:21/km (7:00/mi)
33–42.2 km
Bois de Boulogne drags late
4:25/km (7:07/mi)
Split table
| Checkpoint | Split | Elapsed | Pace at this point |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 km | 21:50 | 21:50 | 4:22/km |
| 10 km | 21:50 | 43:40 | 4:22/km |
| 15 km | 22:06 | 1:05:46 | 4:25/km |
| 20 km | 22:06 | 1:27:52 | 4:25/km |
| Half | 4:46 | 1:32:38 | 4:21/km |
| 25 km | 16:57 | 1:49:36 | 4:21/km |
| 30 km | 21:44 | 2:11:19 | 4:21/km |
| 35 km | 21:53 | 2:33:12 | 4:25/km |
| 40 km | 22:06 | 2:55:18 | 4:25/km |
| Finish | 9:42 | 3:05:00 | 4:25/km |
Print this table or write the elapsed times on your arm — GPS pace is least reliable exactly when you need it most.