Breaking 3:00 at the Tokyo Marathon
Even splits would be 4:16/km (6:52/mi). But Tokyo 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
0–10 km
Gradual descent out of Shinjuku
4:14/km (6:48/mi)
10–35 km
4:16/km (6:52/mi)
35–42.2 km
Turnarounds and quiet stretches — stay locked in
4:18/km (6:56/mi)
Split table
| Checkpoint | Split | Elapsed | Pace at this point |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 km | 21:08 | 21:08 | 4:14/km |
| 10 km | 21:08 | 42:17 | 4:14/km |
| 15 km | 21:21 | 1:03:38 | 4:16/km |
| 20 km | 21:21 | 1:24:59 | 4:16/km |
| Half | 4:41 | 1:29:40 | 4:16/km |
| 25 km | 16:40 | 1:46:20 | 4:16/km |
| 30 km | 21:21 | 2:07:41 | 4:16/km |
| 35 km | 21:21 | 2:29:02 | 4:16/km |
| 40 km | 21:31 | 2:50:33 | 4:18/km |
| Finish | 9:27 | 3:00:00 | 4:18/km |
Print this table or write the elapsed times on your arm — GPS pace is least reliable exactly when you need it most.