Half Marathon Pace Chart and Distance Explained
The half marathon is arguably the perfect race distance—long enough to be a genuine endurance challenge but not so demanding that it requires months of recovery. At 13.1 miles, it strikes an ideal balance between accessibility and accomplishment.
Whether you're training for your first half marathon or chasing a personal best, understanding exact distances, target paces, and strategic splits is essential for success. The half marathon requires smart pacing—start too fast and you'll struggle in the final miles; too conservative and you'll leave time on the table.
This comprehensive guide provides everything you need: exact distance conversions, detailed pace charts for all ability levels, finish time tables, mile-by-mile splits, and race-day strategies from experienced half marathoners.
Half Marathon Distance: The Exact Conversion
Half Marathon Distance
21.0975 kilometers = 13.1094 miles
Commonly called: 13.1 miles or 21.1K
Also Equals:
- • 21,097.5 meters
- • 69,206 feet
- • Approximately 26,400 average steps
- • About 52.75 laps on a standard 400m track
- • Exactly half of a full marathon (42.195K / 26.2 miles)
🏃 Why 13.1 Miles?
The half marathon gained popularity as runners wanted a challenging distance between the 10K and full marathon. Being exactly half a marathon distance makes it mathematically clean and mentally manageable for those considering stepping up to 26.2 miles.
Half Marathon Pace Conversion Chart
Essential pace conversions for half marathon planning and training:
| Pace (min/km) | Pace (min/mile) | Speed (km/h) | Speed (mph) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4:00 | 6:26 | 15.0 | 9.3 |
| 4:30 | 7:14 | 13.3 | 8.3 |
| 5:00 | 8:03 | 12.0 | 7.5 |
| 5:30 | 8:51 | 10.9 | 6.8 |
| 6:00 | 9:39 | 10.0 | 6.2 |
| 6:30 | 10:27 | 9.2 | 5.7 |
| 7:00 | 11:16 | 8.6 | 5.3 |
| 7:30 | 12:04 | 8.0 | 5.0 |
Half Marathon Finish Time Table
Determine your half marathon finish time based on sustained pace:
| Pace (min/km) | Half Marathon Time | Pace (min/mile) | Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3:30 | 1:13:51 | 5:38 | Elite |
| 4:00 | 1:24:23 | 6:26 | Advanced |
| 4:30 | 1:34:56 | 7:14 | Advanced |
| 5:00 | 1:45:29 | 8:03 | Intermediate |
| 5:30 | 1:56:02 | 8:51 | Intermediate |
| 6:00 | 2:06:35 | 9:39 | Intermediate |
| 6:30 | 2:17:08 | 10:27 | Beginner |
| 7:00 | 2:27:41 | 11:16 | Beginner |
| 7:30 | 2:38:14 | 12:04 | Beginner |
Half Marathon Split Times (5K Intervals)
Track your progress with 5K split times for popular half marathon goals:
| Goal Time | 5K | 10K | 15K | 20K | 21.1K |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1:30:00 | 21:19 | 42:38 | 63:57 | 85:16 | 90:00 |
| 1:45:00 | 24:52 | 49:44 | 74:36 | 99:28 | 1:45:00 |
| 2:00:00 | 28:26 | 56:52 | 1:25:18 | 1:53:44 | 2:00:00 |
| 2:15:00 | 31:59 | 1:03:58 | 1:35:57 | 2:07:56 | 2:15:00 |
| 2:30:00 | 35:33 | 1:11:06 | 1:46:39 | 2:22:12 | 2:30:00 |
Half Marathon Mile-by-Mile Splits
Detailed mile splits for common half marathon goal times:
| Goal | Mile 3 | Mile 6 | Mile 9 | Mile 10 | Mile 11 | Mile 12 | Mile 13 | Finish |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1:30:00 | 20:33 | 41:06 | 1:01:39 | 1:08:30 | 1:15:21 | 1:22:12 | 1:29:03 | 1:30:00 |
| 1:45:00 | 24:09 | 48:18 | 1:12:27 | 1:20:30 | 1:28:33 | 1:36:36 | 1:44:39 | 1:45:00 |
| 2:00:00 | 27:27 | 54:54 | 1:22:21 | 1:31:30 | 1:40:39 | 1:49:48 | 1:58:57 | 2:00:00 |
| 2:15:00 | 30:51 | 1:01:42 | 1:32:33 | 1:42:45 | 1:52:57 | 2:03:09 | 2:13:21 | 2:15:00 |
| 2:30:00 | 34:18 | 1:08:36 | 1:42:54 | 1:54:00 | 2:05:06 | 2:16:12 | 2:27:18 | 2:30:00 |
Note: These are cumulative times showing when you should reach each mile marker if maintaining even pace.
Common Half Marathon Time Goals
Sub-1:30 (Under 1:30:00)
- • Required pace: Under 4:16 min/km or 6:52 min/mile
- • Level: Elite/advanced competitive runner
- • Typically requires 50-70 miles per week training
- • Age-group podium potential in most races
Sub-1:45 (Under 1:45:00)
- • Required pace: Under 4:58 min/km or 8:00 min/mile
- • Level: Advanced runner
- • Popular goal for experienced runners
- • Requires consistent tempo and interval training
Sub-2:00 (Under 2:00:00)
- • Required pace: Under 5:41 min/km or 9:09 min/mile
- • Level: Intermediate to advanced
- • Achievable with 3-4 months dedicated training
- • Popular "milestone" goal for many runners
Sub-2:15 (Under 2:15:00)
- • Required pace: Under 6:23 min/km or 10:16 min/mile
- • Level: Intermediate runner
- • Great goal for first-time half marathoners with running experience
- • Focus on consistent long runs and building base
Sub-2:30 (Under 2:30:00)
- • Required pace: Under 7:06 min/km or 11:26 min/mile
- • Level: Beginner to intermediate
- • Excellent first half marathon goal
- • Emphasize completing distance comfortably
Just Finish (2:30:00+)
- • Pace: 7:00+ min/km or 11:30+ min/mile
- • Level: Beginner runner or walker
- • Goal is completion, not time
- • Focus on building up long run distance gradually
Training Paces for Half Marathon Success
Build your half marathon fitness with these training zones relative to goal race pace:
Easy Runs (60-70% effort)
Pace: 60-90 seconds per km slower than half marathon race pace
Purpose: Build aerobic base, recover between hard workouts
Volume: 70-80% of weekly mileage
Long Runs (65-75% effort)
Pace: 45-75 seconds per km slower than half marathon pace
Purpose: Build endurance, mental toughness
Distance: Build up to 16-18 km (10-11 miles)
Tempo Runs (80-85% effort)
Pace: 20-30 seconds per km slower than half marathon pace
Purpose: Improve lactate threshold
Distance: 6-10 km sustained effort
Half Marathon Pace Runs (85-90% effort)
Pace: Exactly your goal half marathon race pace
Purpose: Practice race pace, build specific endurance
Examples: 3 × 5K, 2 × 8K, 1 × 15K at race pace
10K Pace Intervals (90-95% effort)
Pace: 15-20 seconds per km faster than half marathon pace
Purpose: Build speed endurance and VO2 max
Examples: 6 × 1600m, 5 × 2K, 8 × 1K with recovery
Half Marathon Race Strategy
1. The First 5K: Controlled Start
Start 5-10 seconds per km slower than goal pace. With race-day adrenaline, you'll feel like you're going slow, but this restraint pays huge dividends in the final miles. The race doesn't really start until 15K.
2. Miles 4-9: Settle Into Rhythm
This is where you lock into your goal pace. Focus on staying relaxed, maintaining good form, and running efficiently. Don't surge to pass unless necessary. Steady effort beats erratic pacing.
3. Miles 10-11: The Mental Battle
These miles are tough—you're tired but still have 3+ miles to go. This is where training and mental preparation matter most. Break it into smaller chunks: "Just get to mile 11, then mile 12..."
4. Mile 12-13: Dig Deep
With 2 miles left, gradually increase effort. At the mile 13 marker, give everything you have. If you finish feeling like you could run another mile, you paced conservatively (not a bad thing for your first time).
5. The Final 0.1 Mile: Empty the Tank
When you see the finish line, sprint. You've trained months for this—leave nothing on the course. The final kick won't save your time if pacing was off, but it's a satisfying way to finish strong.
Half Marathon vs Other Distances
Understanding pace relationships helps with goal setting:
| 10K Time | Predicted Half | Predicted Marathon |
|---|---|---|
| 40:00 | 1:27:00 | 3:00:00 |
| 45:00 | 1:38:00 | 3:23:00 |
| 50:00 | 1:49:00 | 3:46:00 |
| 55:00 | 2:00:00 | 4:08:00 |
| 60:00 | 2:11:00 | 4:31:00 |
Note: These are general predictions. Actual performance depends on training specificity, endurance base, and race conditions.
Common Half Marathon Pacing Mistakes
❌ Starting Too Fast
Running the first 3 miles 15-20 seconds per mile faster than goal pace. This feels easy early but leads to suffering after mile 10. Patience in the first 5K pays massive dividends.
❌ Ignoring Race Conditions
Sticking to pace targets in 85°F heat or strong headwinds. Adjust goals based on conditions— effort matters more than hitting exact splits when weather isn't cooperating.
❌ Not Practicing Race Pace
Never running at goal pace during training. You should do at least 3-4 workouts at race pace before the event so your body knows what to expect.
❌ Unrealistic Goal Setting
Targeting a time that requires pace you can't sustain for 10K. If you can't run your goal half marathon pace for 10K in training, the full 21.1K at that pace isn't realistic yet.
Plan Your Perfect Half Marathon
Success in the half marathon comes down to smart pacing and proper preparation. These charts provide the foundation, but having quick access to customized pace calculations makes race planning even more effective.
Our pace-to-speed converter helps you calculate exact target paces, convert between metric and imperial units, and plan splits for any half marathon goal time.
Whether you're chasing a PR or completing your first 13.1 miles, accurate pace planning helps you train smarter, start wisely, and finish strong.
Calculate Your Half Marathon Pace →