Breaking 3:30 at the Paris Marathon
Even splits would be 4:59/km (8:01/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
4:57/km (7:59/mi)
10–20 km
Rollers through Vincennes
5:01/km (8:04/mi)
20–33 km
Riverside — includes short tunnels
4:56/km (7:56/mi)
33–42.2 km
Bois de Boulogne drags late
5:01/km (8:04/mi)
Split table
| Checkpoint | Split | Elapsed | Pace at this point |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 km | 24:47 | 24:47 | 4:57/km |
| 10 km | 24:47 | 49:34 | 4:57/km |
| 15 km | 25:05 | 1:14:40 | 5:01/km |
| 20 km | 25:05 | 1:39:45 | 5:01/km |
| Half | 5:25 | 1:45:09 | 4:56/km |
| 25 km | 19:15 | 2:04:24 | 4:56/km |
| 30 km | 24:40 | 2:29:04 | 4:56/km |
| 35 km | 24:50 | 2:53:54 | 5:01/km |
| 40 km | 25:05 | 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.