Average half marathon time
The honest answer for first-timers: a range, not a number. Here's what's typical, and how to work out your own.
What's typical
Most recreational half marathon runners finish somewhere between about 2 and 2 hours 30 minutes, and many first-timers who use walk breaks take closer to 3 hours. Big-city races typically have course cut-offs of around 3 to 3.5 hours; check your race’s rules.
For a first half, pick a pace you have comfortably held on long runs and add a safety margin. Finishing with something left, rather than hitting a number, sets you up for the next one.
Typical ranges here are based on published race-result analyses such as Running USA's annual reports and results from mass-participation events. They vary a lot by event, course and field.
half marathon finish time by pace
| Pace per km | Per mile | half marathon time |
|---|---|---|
| 5:00 | 8:03 | 1:45:29 |
| 6:00 | 9:39 | 2:06:35 |
| 7:00 | 11:16 | 2:27:41 |
| 8:00 | 12:52 | 2:48:47 |
| 9:00 | 14:29 | 3:09:53 |
| 10:00 | 16:06 | 3:30:59 |
| 12:00 | 19:19 | 4:13:10 |
Predict your half marathon time
Enter a recent time over any distance and see what it suggests for a half marathon.
| Race | Predicted | Pace /km | Pace /mi |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5K | 32:00 | 6:24 | 10:18 |
| 10K | 1:06:43 | 6:40 | 10:44 |
| Half marathon | 2:27:12 | 6:59 | 11:14 |
| Marathon | 5:06:55 | 7:16 | 11:42 |
Predictions assume you've trained for the longer distance. For a first half marathon, add 5–10% to be safe.
Getting faster (later)
For your first half marathon, consistency beats cleverness: three or four easy runs a week, a gradually longer long run, and a few strides. Most beginners improve by minutes over their first year from that alone. Start with the half marathon training plan.
Questions first-timers ask
What is a good half marathon time for a beginner?
For a first half, pick a pace you have comfortably held on long runs and add a safety margin. Finishing with something left, rather than hitting a number, sets you up for the next one.
What is the average half marathon time?
Most recreational half marathon runners finish somewhere between about 2 and 2 hours 30 minutes, and many first-timers who use walk breaks take closer to 3 hours. Big-city races typically have course cut-offs of around 3 to 3.5 hours; check your race’s rules.
How can I estimate my own half marathon time?
Run a recent shorter race or time trial and put it into the race time predictor on this page, or divide your goal time by 21.1 to get the pace per kilometre you'd need.
Does age or gender change what counts as a good half marathon time?
Yes. Race results show average times rise gradually with age and differ between men and women, which is why many races publish age-group results and “age-graded” percentages. For a first race, compare yourself only with your training.