Breaking 3:45 at the Tokyo Marathon
Even splits would be 5:20/km (8:35/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
5:17/km (8:30/mi)
10–35 km
5:20/km (8:35/mi)
35–42.2 km
Turnarounds and quiet stretches — stay locked in
5:23/km (8:40/mi)
Split table
| Checkpoint | Split | Elapsed | Pace at this point |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 km | 26:25 | 26:25 | 5:17/km |
| 10 km | 26:25 | 52:51 | 5:17/km |
| 15 km | 26:41 | 1:19:32 | 5:20/km |
| 20 km | 26:41 | 1:46:13 | 5:20/km |
| Half | 5:51 | 1:52:05 | 5:20/km |
| 25 km | 20:50 | 2:12:55 | 5:20/km |
| 30 km | 26:41 | 2:39:36 | 5:20/km |
| 35 km | 26:41 | 3:06:17 | 5:20/km |
| 40 km | 26:54 | 3:33:11 | 5:23/km |
| Finish | 11:49 | 3:45:00 | 5:23/km |
Print this table or write the elapsed times on your arm — GPS pace is least reliable exactly when you need it most.