Breaking 3:45 at the Paris Marathon
Even splits would be 5:20/km (8:35/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
5:19/km (8:33/mi)
10–20 km
Rollers through Vincennes
5:23/km (8:39/mi)
20–33 km
Riverside — includes short tunnels
5:17/km (8:30/mi)
33–42.2 km
Bois de Boulogne drags late
5:23/km (8:39/mi)
Split table
| Checkpoint | Split | Elapsed | Pace at this point |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 km | 26:33 | 26:33 | 5:19/km |
| 10 km | 26:33 | 53:07 | 5:19/km |
| 15 km | 26:53 | 1:20:00 | 5:23/km |
| 20 km | 26:53 | 1:46:52 | 5:23/km |
| Half | 5:48 | 1:52:40 | 5:17/km |
| 25 km | 20:37 | 2:13:18 | 5:17/km |
| 30 km | 26:26 | 2:39:43 | 5:17/km |
| 35 km | 26:36 | 3:06:19 | 5:23/km |
| 40 km | 26:53 | 3:33:12 | 5:23/km |
| Finish | 11:48 | 3:45:00 | 5:23/km |
Print this table or write the elapsed times on your arm — GPS pace is least reliable exactly when you need it most.