Breaking 3:00 at the St. George Marathon
Even splits would be 4:16/km (6:52/mi). But St. George 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
0–11 km
Opening mountain descent — fast, but brake the quads or you'll pay at Veyo Hill
4:11/km (6:45/mi)
11–15 km
Veyo Hill — unexpected 90-metre climb; run by effort, don't panic
4:35/km (7:22/mi)
15–30 km
Snow Canyon descent — the course's most spectacular section, run with control
4:13/km (6:47/mi)
30–42.2 km
Final desert descent with headwind — hold form, the finish is worth it
4:18/km (6:55/mi)
Split table
| Checkpoint | Split | Elapsed | Pace at this point |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 km | 20:57 | 20:57 | 4:11/km |
| 10 km | 20:57 | 41:54 | 4:11/km |
| 15 km | 22:31 | 1:04:25 | 4:35/km |
| 20 km | 21:03 | 1:25:28 | 4:13/km |
| Half | 4:37 | 1:30:05 | 4:13/km |
| 25 km | 16:26 | 1:46:31 | 4:13/km |
| 30 km | 21:03 | 2:07:35 | 4:13/km |
| 35 km | 21:29 | 2:29:04 | 4:18/km |
| 40 km | 21:29 | 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.