Breaking 3:05 at the Tokyo Marathon
Even splits would be 4:23/km (7:03/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
4:21/km (7:00/mi)
10–35 km
4:23/km (7:04/mi)
35–42.2 km
Turnarounds and quiet stretches — stay locked in
4:25/km (7:07/mi)
Split table
| Checkpoint | Split | Elapsed | Pace at this point |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 km | 21:43 | 21:43 | 4:21/km |
| 10 km | 21:43 | 43:27 | 4:21/km |
| 15 km | 21:57 | 1:05:24 | 4:23/km |
| 20 km | 21:57 | 1:27:20 | 4:23/km |
| Half | 4:49 | 1:32:09 | 4:23/km |
| 25 km | 17:08 | 1:49:17 | 4:23/km |
| 30 km | 21:57 | 2:11:14 | 4:23/km |
| 35 km | 21:57 | 2:33:10 | 4:23/km |
| 40 km | 22:07 | 2:55:17 | 4:25/km |
| Finish | 9:43 | 3:05:00 | 4:25/km |
Print this table or write the elapsed times on your arm — GPS pace is least reliable exactly when you need it most.