What pace is a 2-hour half marathon?

A 2-hour half marathon requires 9:09/mi (5:41/km). The arithmetic: 120 minutes ÷ 13.10938 miles = 9.154 min/mi, which rounds to 9:09/mi. In metric: 120 ÷ 21.0975 = 5.688 min/km → 5:41/km. That translates to 10.55 km/h (6.55 mph).

What is a good half marathon time for a beginner?

2:15 to 2:30 is a common range for first-time half marathon runners, based on Running USA's aggregate finishing data. At 2:15 the required pace is 10:18/mi (6:24/km); at 2:30 it is 11:26/mi (7:06/km). Many first-timers benefit from setting a goal based on a recent 10K result rather than an aspirational time — use the Race Time Predictor to translate a 10K into a realistic half marathon target.

How do I train for a half marathon?

A 12–16 week plan with 3–4 runs per week is typical for recreational runners. Include one long run that builds to 16–18 km, one tempo or threshold session, one easy run, and optionally a speed or hills session. Build weekly volume by no more than 10 % per week. The Training Pace Calculator shows the specific paces for Easy, Tempo, and Interval sessions based on a recent race result.

What's the average half marathon finish time?

The global average half marathon finish time is approximately 2:02 for male runners and 2:16 for female runners, according to Running USA's 2023 aggregate analysis. Times vary significantly by age group, course elevation, and weather. For context, finishing at 2:00 places a runner roughly in the top 40 % globally.

Should I walk during a half marathon?

Yes — walking breaks are a valid pacing strategy. The Galloway run/walk method alternates running intervals with short walking breaks and allows many runners to finish a half marathon who could not sustain continuous running. Your required overall pace is the same regardless of the run/walk ratio: enter your goal time in this calculator to find the combined pace you need.

How do I pace the last 3 miles of a half marathon?

Hold form and maintain or slightly increase effort — do not chase a faster pace with force. Most fades in miles 11–13 come from starting too fast rather than lacking fitness. This calculator highlights miles 11–13.1 as the finish-push zone. If you ran the first three miles at goal pace, the last three are fitness × discipline, not fitness × willpower.

What is a half marathon in miles?

A half marathon is exactly 13.10938 miles (21.0975 km) under IAAF standards — half of the full marathon distance of 26.21875 miles (42.195 km). GPS watches often record 13.2–13.3 mi due to weaving on the course; plan your race by the clock and chip time, not by GPS distance.

Can I predict my marathon time from a half marathon?

Roughly — double your half marathon time and add 10–20 minutes for a realistic first marathon goal, assuming adequate training. For a statistical prediction, the Race Time Predictor applies the Riegel formula (F5): T2 = T1 × (D2 ÷ D1)^1.06. A 2:00 half marathon predicts a 4:10 marathon under even training and conditions; most runners add further buffer for pacing mistakes, fueling, and the final 10K.

Half Marathon Pace Calculator

Find the exact per-mile and per-km pace for your half marathon goal time, plus 5K and 10K checkpoints and mile-by-mile splits with even or negative strategies.

Goal time

Your target half marathon finish time. A sub-2-hour half requires a pace of 5:41/km (9:09/mi).

Split strategy

Required pace

9:09/mi

(5:41 /km)

Intermediate

Faster than 40% of recreational half marathon finishers.

Finish time

2:00:00

Speed

6.55mph

(10.55 km/h)

5K split

28:26

10K split

56:53

Mile-by-mile splits13 splits across 13.10938 mi, plus a final partial.

Split #	Distance	Split time	Cumulative
1	1.00	9:09	09:09
2	2.00	9:09	18:18
3	3.00	9:09	27:28
4	4.00	9:09	36:37
5	5.00	9:09	45:46
6	6.00	9:09	54:55
7	7.00	9:09	1:04:05
8	8.00	9:09	1:13:14
9	9.00	9:09	1:22:23
10	10.00	9:09	1:31:32
11Finish push	11.00	9:09	1:40:41
12Finish push	12.00	9:09	1:49:51
13Finish push	13.00	9:09	1:59:00
14Finish push	13.11	1:00	2:00:00

The final 3 miles are the finish-push zone — hold form and effort.

Half marathon pace is the per-mile or per-kilometer speed you need to hold for 21.0975 km (13.10938 mi) to cross the finish line at your goal time. This calculator converts any half marathon goal into your required pace, returns 5K and 10K checkpoint splits, shows your speed in mph and km/h, and generates a mile-by-mile split table with even or configurable negative-split strategies. The final three miles are highlighted as the finish-push zone, where most recreational runners either hold form or fade. Use the split table to write splits on your wrist, print a pace band, or plan your 5K/10K halfway checks — and see below for the goal-time reference covering every common half marathon finish time.

pace = goal_time ÷ distance

pace: = Required pace (min/mi or min/km)
goal_time: = Target half marathon finish time (in minutes)
distance: = Half marathon distance — 13.10938 mi or 21.0975 km (IAAF standard)

Worked example — 2:00:00 half marathon

goal_time = 120 min
distance = 13.10938 mi
pace = 120 ÷ 13.10938 = 9.154 min/mi → 9:09/mi
in km: pace = 120 ÷ 21.0975 = 5.688 min/km → 5:41/km
speed (F2): 60 ÷ 5.688 = 10.55 km/h (6.55 mph)
5K split (F13): 5.688 × 5.0 = 28:26
= 9:09/mi (5:41/km) · 6.55 mph · 5K split 28:26

Formula F1 from site/03-globals.md §formulas. Speed calculated via F2, splits via F13. Negative-split variants use F12: first-half pace = even_pace × (1 + split_pct/100); second-half pace = even_pace × (1 − split_pct/100). Common bands: sub-1:30 → 4:16/km (6:52/mi); sub-1:45 → 4:58/km (8:00/mi); sub-2:00 → 5:41/km (9:09/mi); sub-2:15 → 6:24/km (10:18/mi); sub-2:30 → 7:06/km (11:26/mi).

Required pace per goal finish time — 21.0975 km / 13.10938 mi. Source: F1.
Goal Time	Pace /mi	Pace /km	Speed (mph)
1:20:00	6:06	3:47	9.83
1:25:00	6:29	4:02	9.25
1:30:00	6:52	4:16	8.74
1:35:00	7:15	4:30	8.28
1:40:00	7:38	4:44	7.87
1:45:00	8:00	4:58	7.50
1:50:00	8:23	5:13	7.15
1:55:00	8:46	5:27	6.84
2:00:00	9:09	5:41	6.55
2:10:00	9:55	6:10	6.05
2:20:00	10:41	6:38	5.62
2:30:00	11:26	7:06	5.24

Paces rounded to nearest second. Speeds rounded to two decimal places.

How to Use This Calculator

Three inputs produce your full race plan in seconds.

Enter your Goal Time
Type your target half marathon finish time into the Goal Time field (format H:M:S, e.g. 2:00:00). The default is 2:00:00 — the sub-2-hour benchmark used throughout this page.
Choose a Split Strategy
Select Even, Negative, or Custom from the Split Strategy pill strip. Even splits hold the same pace throughout. Negative splits start slightly slower and finish faster — a common race-day strategy for first-time and experienced half marathon runners alike.
Set Negative Split % (optional)
If you selected a negative strategy, the Negative Split % field appears. The default is 2%. Adjust between 0.5 and 10 in 0.5 steps. 2% is conservative, 4% is moderate.
Press Calculate Half Marathon Pace
Your required pace per mile and per km appears as the primary result. Four secondary tiles show Finish Time, Speed, 5K Split, and 10K Split — the three checkpoints most race organizers announce.
Review the Mile-by-Mile Splits Panel
The expanded panel lists every mile with split time, cumulative time, and pace. The final three miles are highlighted as the finish-push zone. Under a negative strategy the pace changes at the halfway mark.

Where most half marathon finishers land

Average finish time (male)

2:02h:mm

Running USA aggregate, 2023

Average finish time (female)

2:16h:mm

Running USA aggregate, 2023

Top 1% finish time

1:18h:mm

Approx. pace 5:57/mi (3:42/km)

Top 10% finish time

1:37h:mm

Approx. pace 7:24/mi (4:36/km)

Median (50th percentile)

2:09h:mm

Approx. pace 9:51/mi (6:07/km)

75th percentile

2:25h:mm

Approx. pace 11:04/mi (6:52/km)

90th percentile

2:45h:mm

Approx. pace 12:35/mi (7:49/km)

Half Marathon vs. Marathon Effort

Half Marathon

Distance: 21.0975 km (13.10938 mi)
Effort: threshold — sustainable, not conversational
Fueling: 1–2 gels typical; water sufficient for most
Training: 12–16 weeks; peak long run 16–18 km
Recovery: 1–2 weeks before quality training resumes

Accessible first goal race — trainable on 3–4 runs per week

Marathon

Distance: 42.195 km (26.219 mi)
Effort: aerobic — must remain conversational for ~3 hours
Fueling: 30–60 g carbohydrate every 30–45 min
Training: 16–20 weeks; peak long run 30–35 km
Recovery: 2–4 weeks before quality training resumes

Requires ~2× volume and far stricter pacing discipline

Taper

Cut weekly volume by 30–50 % in race week; keep intensity with a couple of short strides. Nothing you do this week builds fitness — only fatigue can be added or removed.

Nutrition

Increase carbohydrate intake to 7–10 g/kg/day in the final 48 hours. Drink water consistently — sip-sized and spread across the day, not a large bolus the night before.

Gear check

Race in shoes already broken in and with socks you have run 10+ km in. Lay out everything — bib, safety pins, chip, gels, watch — the night before. Never race in anything new.

Mental prep

Re-read your split table and rehearse the first mile: steady, 5–10 seconds slower than goal if anything. Imagine the finish-push zone at mile 11 and what effort you plan to hold.

Target cumulative time at each mile marker for common goal times (even pace). Source: F1 + F13.
Mile	1:30 goal	1:45 goal	2:00 goal	2:15 goal	2:30 goal
1	6:52	8:00	9:09	10:18	11:26
3	20:36	24:00	27:28	30:54	34:19
5	34:19	40:00	45:46	51:30	57:11
6	41:11	48:00	54:55	1:01:48	1:08:34
8	54:55	1:04:00	1:13:13	1:22:25	1:31:26
10	1:08:39	1:20:00	1:31:31	1:43:02	1:54:17
11	1:15:30	1:28:00	1:40:40	1:53:20	2:05:43
12	1:22:22	1:36:00	1:49:49	2:03:38	2:17:09
13	1:29:14	1:44:00	1:58:58	2:13:56	2:28:36
13.1	1:30:00	1:45:00	2:00:00	2:15:00	2:30:00

Miles 11–13.1 are the finish-push zone. Cumulative times rounded to the nearest second.

What This Calculator Assumes

The calculator uses the kinematic pace formula (F1) and assumes certain fixed conditions. Results are a planning reference, not a race prescription.

Even effort assumes flat, road-surface conditions. Elevation, heat, headwind, and course camber all slow you relative to flat-course pace.
The half marathon distance is fixed at 21.0975 km (13.10938 mi) per IAAF standard. GPS watches often read 13.2–13.3 mi due to weaving — plan by the table, not the GPS.
Negative-split percentages (F12) distribute effort linearly across each half. In practice, pace varies by terrain and effort, not linearly.
Fueling recommendations are a general framework, not clinical nutrition advice. GI tolerance varies and should be practiced in training.
This calculator does not account for your current fitness. Use the Race Time Predictor (Riegel F5) to derive a realistic goal time from a recent 5K or 10K.
The global finishing stats shown here come from Running USA and vary by event, region, and year. Use them as broad context, not a benchmark for your training plan.

Explore More Running Tools

Marathon Pace Calculator

Goal time to mile-by-mile splits for 42.195 km — with fueling and wall-zone guidance.

Race Pace Calculator

Calculate required pace for any race distance and goal time.

10K Pace Calculator

10K-specific pacing, splits, and realistic goal bands.

Training Pace Calculator

Daniels VDOT zones — translate a recent race into Easy, Tempo, and Interval paces.

Race Time Predictor

Convert a recent 5K or 10K result into a realistic half marathon goal (Riegel).

Sources

1.Pace-Time-Distance Formula (F1) — Kinematic identity — PaceSplit Methodology (accessed 2026-04-21)
2.Negative Split Formula (F12) — Half marathon split analysis — PaceSplit Methodology (accessed 2026-04-21)
3.Running USA Annual Marathon and Half Marathon Reports — Running USA, 2023 (accessed 2026-04-21)
4.IAAF Competition Rules — Half Marathon Distance (21.0975 km) — World Athletics (IAAF) (accessed 2026-04-21)
5.Men's half marathon world record 57:31 — Jacob Kiplimo, Lisbon 2021 — World Athletics, 2021 (accessed 2026-04-21)

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