Breaking 4:30 at the Tokyo Marathon
Even splits would be 6:24/km (10:18/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
6:20/km (10:12/mi)
10–35 km
6:24/km (10:19/mi)
35–42.2 km
Turnarounds and quiet stretches — stay locked in
6:27/km (10:23/mi)
Split table
| Checkpoint | Split | Elapsed | Pace at this point |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 km | 31:42 | 31:42 | 6:20/km |
| 10 km | 31:42 | 1:03:25 | 6:20/km |
| 15 km | 32:02 | 1:35:26 | 6:24/km |
| 20 km | 32:02 | 2:07:28 | 6:24/km |
| Half | 7:02 | 2:14:30 | 6:24/km |
| 25 km | 25:00 | 2:39:30 | 6:24/km |
| 30 km | 32:02 | 3:11:31 | 6:24/km |
| 35 km | 32:02 | 3:43:33 | 6:24/km |
| 40 km | 32:17 | 4:15:50 | 6:27/km |
| Finish | 14:10 | 4:30:00 | 6:27/km |
Print this table or write the elapsed times on your arm — GPS pace is least reliable exactly when you need it most.