Breaking 3:30 at the Tokyo Marathon
Even splits would be 4:59/km (8:01/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
4:56/km (7:56/mi)
10–35 km
4:59/km (8:01/mi)
35–42.2 km
Turnarounds and quiet stretches — stay locked in
5:01/km (8:05/mi)
Split table
| Checkpoint | Split | Elapsed | Pace at this point |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 km | 24:40 | 24:40 | 4:56/km |
| 10 km | 24:40 | 49:19 | 4:56/km |
| 15 km | 24:55 | 1:14:14 | 4:59/km |
| 20 km | 24:55 | 1:39:08 | 4:59/km |
| Half | 5:28 | 1:44:36 | 4:59/km |
| 25 km | 19:27 | 2:04:03 | 4:59/km |
| 30 km | 24:55 | 2:28:58 | 4:59/km |
| 35 km | 24:55 | 2:53:52 | 4:59/km |
| 40 km | 25:07 | 3:18:59 | 5:01/km |
| Finish | 11:01 | 3:30:00 | 5:01/km |
Print this table or write the elapsed times on your arm — GPS pace is least reliable exactly when you need it most.