Shansu Tools Guides

Pace guide: the running pace chart.

Running Pace Chart

One table answers the two questions runners ask most: what is my pace in the other unit, and what finish time does it produce? Every row is exact arithmetic at a constant pace — for values between rows, or for split tables, use the pace calculator.

Pace Conversion and Finish Times

min/kmmin/mile5K10KHalf marathonMarathon
4:006:2620:0040:001:24:232:48:47
4:307:1522:3045:001:34:563:09:53
5:008:0325:0050:001:45:293:30:59
5:308:5127:3055:001:56:023:52:04
6:009:3930:001:00:002:06:354:13:10
6:3010:2832:301:05:002:17:084:34:16
7:0011:1635:001:10:002:27:414:55:22

Distances: 5K = 5 km, 10K = 10 km, half = 21.0975 km, marathon = 42.195 km; 1 mile = 1.609344 km. Conversion rule of thumb: per-km pace × 1.609 = per-mile pace.

Common Goal Paces

Working backwards from popular targets: a sub-25 5K needs under 5:00/km; a sub-50 10K the same; a sub-2:00 half needs about 5:41/km (9:09/mile); a sub-4:00 marathon the same 5:41/km held twice as long. Whether a pace held at one distance stretches to another is exactly what the race time predictor guide models — and the strategy for holding a pace on the day is covered in the pace calculator guide.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I convert min/km to min/mile?
Multiply the per-km pace by 1.609. For example 5:00/km × 1.609 ≈ 8:03/mile. Dividing a per-mile pace by 1.609 goes the other way.

What pace do I need for a 4-hour marathon?
About 5:41/km (9:09/mile) held for the full 42.195 km. At 5:30/km you finish in roughly 3:52; at 6:00/km in about 4:13.

Are chart times realistic for racing?
They are exact arithmetic for a constant pace — holding that pace is the training question. Most runners race shorter distances at faster paces than longer ones; the Riegel predictor models that decay.