Breaking 4:30 at the Sydney Marathon
Even splits would be 6:24/km (10:18/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
6:28/km (10:25/mi)
5–30 km
Relentless rollers through the parks
6:23/km (10:16/mi)
30–42.2 km
More rollers, then the drop to the Opera House
6:25/km (10:19/mi)
Split table
| Checkpoint | Split | Elapsed | Pace at this point |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 km | 32:22 | 32:22 | 6:28/km |
| 10 km | 31:54 | 1:04:16 | 6:23/km |
| 15 km | 31:54 | 1:36:09 | 6:23/km |
| 20 km | 31:54 | 2:08:03 | 6:23/km |
| Half | 7:00 | 2:15:03 | 6:23/km |
| 25 km | 24:54 | 2:39:56 | 6:23/km |
| 30 km | 31:54 | 3:11:50 | 6:23/km |
| 35 km | 32:03 | 3:43:53 | 6:25/km |
| 40 km | 32:03 | 4:15:56 | 6:25/km |
| Finish | 14:04 | 4:30:00 | 6:25/km |
Print this table or write the elapsed times on your arm — GPS pace is least reliable exactly when you need it most.