Breaking 4:00 at the Tokyo Marathon
Even splits would be 5:41/km (9:09/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
5:38/km (9:04/mi)
10–35 km
5:42/km (9:10/mi)
35–42.2 km
Turnarounds and quiet stretches — stay locked in
5:44/km (9:14/mi)
Split table
| Checkpoint | Split | Elapsed | Pace at this point |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 km | 28:11 | 28:11 | 5:38/km |
| 10 km | 28:11 | 56:22 | 5:38/km |
| 15 km | 28:28 | 1:24:50 | 5:42/km |
| 20 km | 28:28 | 1:53:18 | 5:42/km |
| Half | 6:15 | 1:59:33 | 5:42/km |
| 25 km | 22:13 | 2:21:46 | 5:42/km |
| 30 km | 28:28 | 2:50:14 | 5:42/km |
| 35 km | 28:28 | 3:18:42 | 5:42/km |
| 40 km | 28:42 | 3:47:24 | 5:44/km |
| Finish | 12:36 | 4:00:00 | 5:44/km |
Print this table or write the elapsed times on your arm — GPS pace is least reliable exactly when you need it most.