Half Marathon Pace Calculator: Goal Finish Times

The half marathon is the most popular long race in the world. It is hard enough to take training seriously, short enough that you can race a few per year without losing your social life. The whole game is finding a goal pace and holding it for 13.1 miles.

free pace calculator gives you the pace per mile for any goal time. The chart below is the cheat sheet.

Half Marathon Finish Time → Required Pace

Goal Time	Pace per Mile	Pace per Km
1:20:00	6:06	3:48
1:25:00	6:29	4:01
1:30:00	6:52	4:16
1:35:00	7:15	4:30
1:40:00	7:38	4:44
1:45:00	8:01	4:59
1:50:00	8:24	5:13
1:55:00	8:47	5:27
2:00:00	9:09	5:41
2:05:00	9:32	5:55
2:10:00	9:55	6:10
2:15:00	10:18	6:24
2:20:00	10:41	6:38
2:30:00	11:27	7:07
2:45:00	12:35	7:49
3:00:00	13:44	8:32

Sub-2 is the universal benchmark — about half of half marathon finishers come in under 2:00 in most large city races. Sub-1:45 is the next milestone, sub-1:30 puts you in the top 10-15% of finishers.

How to Use a Pace Band

A pace band is a paper or plastic strip listing your goal split for each mile. You wear it on your wrist like a tattoo and check it as you cross each mile marker. It is the easiest way to keep yourself honest in the early miles when your legs feel fresh and adrenaline tells you to run faster.

Build your own band: take your goal pace, multiply by mile number, and round to the nearest second. For a 1:50 goal at 8:24/mile:

• Mile 1: 8:24
• Mile 5: 42:00
• Mile 10: 1:24:00
• Mile 13.1: 1:50:00

Or skip the math and let our pace calculator compute it for you, then write the numbers on a piece of athletic tape.

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Even Split vs Negative Split

An even split means running each mile at the same pace. A negative split means running the second half slightly faster than the first. The data is clear: the runners who finish under their goal time more often are the ones who run negative splits, by 10-30 seconds.

Rough plan: first 3 miles at goal pace + 5-10 seconds per mile (a slow start). Miles 4-10 right at goal pace. Miles 10-13 at goal pace minus 5-15 seconds per mile. The last 0.1 mile, sprint.

Resist the urge to "bank time" early. Negative splits are not slower starts that magically catch up — they are starts that protect your legs so you can actually push at the end.

Predicting Your Half From a 10K or 5K

Riegel formula: half time ≈ 10K time × 2.22, or 5K time × 4.66. Quick examples:

• 22:00 5K → 1:42:30 half
• 25:00 5K → 1:56:30 half
• 50:00 10K → 1:51:00 half
• 45:00 10K → 1:40:00 half
• 40:00 10K → 1:28:48 half

These predictions assume you have done the long runs. If your weekly mileage is half of what is recommended for the half marathon distance, expect to finish 5-10% slower than the prediction.

How to Survive the Last 5K

The half marathon turns hard around mile 9. Your fueling has caught up, your legs are tired, and you still have 4+ miles to go. This is where pace bands, even effort, and mental tricks matter.

Mental trick that works: break the last 5K into "two more songs" or "just to that water stop." The brain handles small goals better than big ones at mile 10. Goal pace becomes a weight you cannot put down — small wins make it bearable.

Physical tricks: take in carbs at miles 4, 7, and 10 (gels or chews). Salt at mile 8 if it is hot. Don't try anything new on race day.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is sub-2 hours a good half marathon time?

Yes — it is the most common goal time and puts you faster than the median finisher in most races. The pace required is 9:09 per mile or 5:41 per km.

How long should my longest training run be?

Most plans peak at 10-12 miles for the half marathon, sometimes 14. You do not need to run the full distance in training — race-day adrenaline and tapering carry you the last mile or two.

Can I walk during a half marathon?

Yes. Run-walk methods (Galloway-style 4:1 or 6:1) are popular and produce strong finishes. Many sub-2:30 runners use them.