Breaking 4:00 at the Sydney Marathon
Even splits would be 5:41/km (9:09/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
5:45/km (9:16/mi)
5–30 km
Relentless rollers through the parks
5:40/km (9:07/mi)
30–42.2 km
More rollers, then the drop to the Opera House
5:42/km (9:10/mi)
Split table
| Checkpoint | Split | Elapsed | Pace at this point |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 km | 28:46 | 28:46 | 5:45/km |
| 10 km | 28:21 | 57:07 | 5:40/km |
| 15 km | 28:21 | 1:25:28 | 5:40/km |
| 20 km | 28:21 | 1:53:49 | 5:40/km |
| Half | 6:13 | 2:00:02 | 5:40/km |
| 25 km | 22:08 | 2:22:10 | 5:40/km |
| 30 km | 28:21 | 2:50:31 | 5:40/km |
| 35 km | 28:29 | 3:19:00 | 5:42/km |
| 40 km | 28:29 | 3:47:30 | 5:42/km |
| Finish | 12:30 | 4:00:00 | 5:42/km |
Print this table or write the elapsed times on your arm — GPS pace is least reliable exactly when you need it most.