Breaking 3:05 at the Sydney Marathon
Even splits would be 4:23/km (7:03/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
4:26/km (7:08/mi)
5–30 km
Relentless rollers through the parks
4:22/km (7:02/mi)
30–42.2 km
More rollers, then the drop to the Opera House
4:24/km (7:04/mi)
Split table
| Checkpoint | Split | Elapsed | Pace at this point |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 km | 22:11 | 22:11 | 4:26/km |
| 10 km | 21:51 | 44:02 | 4:22/km |
| 15 km | 21:51 | 1:05:53 | 4:22/km |
| 20 km | 21:51 | 1:27:44 | 4:22/km |
| Half | 4:48 | 1:32:32 | 4:22/km |
| 25 km | 17:03 | 1:49:35 | 4:22/km |
| 30 km | 21:51 | 2:11:26 | 4:22/km |
| 35 km | 21:58 | 2:33:24 | 4:24/km |
| 40 km | 21:58 | 2:55:22 | 4:24/km |
| Finish | 9:38 | 3:05:00 | 4:24/km |
Print this table or write the elapsed times on your arm — GPS pace is least reliable exactly when you need it most.