Breaking 3:00 at the Sydney Marathon
Even splits would be 4:16/km (6:52/mi). But Sydney 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
0–5 km
Harbour Bridge and early climbs
4:19/km (6:57/mi)
5–30 km
Relentless rollers through the parks
4:15/km (6:51/mi)
30–42.2 km
More rollers, then the drop to the Opera House
4:16/km (6:53/mi)
Split table
| Checkpoint | Split | Elapsed | Pace at this point |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 km | 21:35 | 21:35 | 4:19/km |
| 10 km | 21:16 | 42:50 | 4:15/km |
| 15 km | 21:16 | 1:04:06 | 4:15/km |
| 20 km | 21:16 | 1:25:22 | 4:15/km |
| Half | 4:40 | 1:30:02 | 4:15/km |
| 25 km | 16:36 | 1:46:37 | 4:15/km |
| 30 km | 21:16 | 2:07:53 | 4:15/km |
| 35 km | 21:22 | 2:29:15 | 4:16/km |
| 40 km | 21:22 | 2:50:37 | 4:16/km |
| Finish | 9:23 | 3:00:00 | 4:16/km |
Print this table or write the elapsed times on your arm — GPS pace is least reliable exactly when you need it most.