Breaking 3:45 at the Sydney Marathon
Even splits would be 5:20/km (8:35/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
5:24/km (8:41/mi)
5–30 km
Relentless rollers through the parks
5:19/km (8:33/mi)
30–42.2 km
More rollers, then the drop to the Opera House
5:21/km (8:36/mi)
Split table
| Checkpoint | Split | Elapsed | Pace at this point |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 km | 26:58 | 26:58 | 5:24/km |
| 10 km | 26:35 | 53:33 | 5:19/km |
| 15 km | 26:35 | 1:20:08 | 5:19/km |
| 20 km | 26:35 | 1:46:42 | 5:19/km |
| Half | 5:50 | 1:52:32 | 5:19/km |
| 25 km | 20:45 | 2:13:17 | 5:19/km |
| 30 km | 26:35 | 2:39:51 | 5:19/km |
| 35 km | 26:43 | 3:06:34 | 5:21/km |
| 40 km | 26:43 | 3:33:16 | 5:21/km |
| Finish | 11:44 | 3:45:00 | 5:21/km |
Print this table or write the elapsed times on your arm — GPS pace is least reliable exactly when you need it most.