Find your exact per-mile and per-km pace for any half marathon finish time goal — from 1:05 to 3:30.
Enter your half marathon goal time to calculate your required pace.
Same goal pace, three common formats:
⭐ = common goal milestone | Distance: 21.0975 km / 13.1094 miles
A half marathon pace chart shows the exact running pace — in minutes per mile or per kilometer — you must hold from start to finish to achieve any given goal time. Whether you're chasing a first sub-2-hour finish, targeting a personal best, or setting a custom goal, this chart gives you the number to lock into your GPS watch before race day.
The half marathon (13.1094 miles / 21.0975 km) is one of the fastest-growing race distances in the world. It rewards both endurance and pace control — too fast in the first half and the back half becomes a survival test. This chart covers every finish time from 1:05 (near-elite) to 3:30 (first-timers), in one-minute increments, with both miles and kilometers.
How to use: Enter your goal time in the calculator above to instantly see your required pace. Or scroll the full chart to find your target row. The milestones (marked ⭐) are the most common goal times — check how close you are to the next one up.
For most recreational runners, finishing a half marathon in under 2 hours is a solid benchmark. Strong amateur runners target sub-1:45, while competitive club runners aim for sub-1:30. Elite runners finish under 1:05. The average half marathon time is around 2:05–2:15 for men and 2:20–2:35 for women depending on age group.
To finish a half marathon in under 2:00:00 you need to run at 9:09 per mile or 5:41 per km. This is one of the most popular half marathon goals. Training tips: run a weekly long run of at least 10–11 miles, add one tempo run per week at 8:30–8:45/mile pace, and practice race-day fueling in your long runs.
A common rule of thumb: multiply your 5K time by 4.667 to estimate a half marathon finish time. For example, a 25:00 5K projects to roughly 1:56:40 for the half. Tools like the running pace calculator can help you fine-tune this based on your training.
Most of your training (80%) should be at an easy conversational pace — about 60–90 seconds per mile slower than your goal half marathon pace. Race-pace work should be reserved for tempo runs (20–30 min at goal pace) and race-pace miles during long runs. Running every workout at goal pace leads to injury and overtraining.
The men's half marathon world record is 57:31 (Jacob Kiplimo, 2021), a pace of 4:23/mile or 2:44/km. The women's world record is 1:02:52 (Letesenbet Gidey, 2021), a pace of 4:48/mile or 2:59/km.
As you prepare for your half marathon, consider your fueling strategy more carefully. In 2026, many runners are optimizing their performance with personalized nutrition plans. Experiment during your training runs with different energy gels or chews to see what works best for you. Aim to consume 30-60 grams of carbohydrates per hour during the race, and practice this strategy in training to avoid gastrointestinal issues on race day. Remember, hydration is equally important, so plan your fluid intake based on weather conditions.