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Running a marathon is every runner’s dream. Crossing the finish line, with over 20 miles behind you, gives an incomparable, exhilarating joy. Whether you’re a novice or an experienced runner who’s itching to join a marathon, you may wonder what the ideal average marathon time is and how fast elite runners finish the long race.
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A marathon is a long-distance running event where participants must run around 26 miles to the finish line. From miles to km, that translates to 42.195 km. The first marathon took place in the first inaugural Modern Games in Athens in 1896.
The event happens on the road and the top three finishers in both men’s and women’s divisions are recognized with medals, awards and potentially prize money. Often called a podium finish, this is the ultimate dream for many runners. Yet for beginners and casual enthusiasts, finishing the marathon on time or beating their personal best (PB) is a feat worth celebrating.
According to RunRepeat, the average marathon finish time is 4 hours, 29 minutes and 53 seconds. To break down further, the average marathon time for men is 4 hours, 21 minutes and three seconds, while an average female runner completes a marathon in 4 hours, 48 minutes and 45 seconds.
| Average marathon finish time | 4:29:53 |
| Average marathon finish time for men | 4:21:03 |
| Average marathon finish time for women | 4:48:45 |
The data also found that marathon runners are getting slower in general. However, this should not be considered negative. If anything, it only highlights the increasing popularity of marathons and the fact that runners of all experience levels are now lacing up.
The fastest marathon time recorded was 2:00:35, with a pace of 4:36. Kelvin Kiptum from Kenya completed it during the 2023 Chicago Marathon. The fastest female marathon runner is Ruth Chepngetich from Kenya, whose finish time was 2:09:56 during the 2024 Chicago Marathon. Note that these records were achieved in events that meet the requirements for world record eligibility.
The Abbot World Marathon Majors are the most respected annual marathons, attracting the world’s best runners. It now consists of seven marathon races: Tokyo, London, Boston, Sydney, Chicago, Berlin and New York City. Each marathon has its own set of challenges. For instance, Berlin is known for being the easiest and fastest, with its flat roads, and 12 world records were set during this event.
Here are the fastest course records in the major marathons:
| Marathon | Course Records |
| Boston Marathon | Men’s: 2:03:02 Geoffrey Mutai, Kenya Women’s: 2:17:22 Sharon Lokedia, Kenya |
| Tokyo Marathon | Men’s: 2:02:16 Benson Kipruto, Kenya Women’s: Sutume Asefa Kebede, Ethiopia |
| London Marathon | Men’s: 2:01:25 Kelvin Kiptum, Kenya Women’s: 2:15:25 Paula Radcliffe, United Kingdom |
| Berlin Marathon | Men’s: 2:01:09 Eliud Kipchoge, Kenya Women’s: 2:11:53 Tigist Assefa, Ethiopia |
| Chicago Marathon | Men’s: 2:00:35 Kelvin Kiptum, Kenya Women’s: 2:09:56 Ruth Chepngetich, Kenya |
| New York Marathon | Men’s: 2:04:58 Tamira Tola, Ethiopia Women’s: 2:22:31 Margaret Okayo, Kenya |
| Sydney Marathon | Men’s: 2:06:18 Brimin Kipkorir, Kenya Women’s: 2:21:41 Workenesh Edesa, Ethiopia |
Mental fortitude is just as important as endurance when joining a marathon, and developing it requires preparation. Aside from these factors, there are other aspects that may affect your finish time.
It’s found that runners between the ages of 20 and 50 have the best marathon performance. By the time you reach 40 years of age, you slowly lose bone mass, which can affect your running.
It’s expected that beginners take longer to complete a marathon than more elite runners. As you train and join more, you can beat your PR.
You can use this marathon time calculator to compare your finish time with other runners. You can also see if you have an average pace based on your gender and age group.
Temperature, wind speed, humidity and solar load can affect performance during endurance running events. Sweltering heat or cold weather can make you feel more exhausted than usual.
Flat terrain and elevations can impact your run time. Many elites acquire world records during the Chicago Marathon due to its flat terrain. This is an important factor that’s often overlooked, but it’s essential to check the course to see if it fits your running capacity.
The amount of time and effort you spend on training can significantly impact your average pace. Working with a trainer, following a training plan based on your needs and investing in a good pair of shoes all contribute to your race success. Plus, they can help prevent running injuries, helping you feel more confident in every stride.
Get to know more about the topic and the start times of the three leading marathon events in the world.
It depends on your goals, experience and what you consider an ideal time for your personal goals. According to Running Level, a good finish time would be 3 hours, 48 minutes and 20 seconds. A good time for beginners ages 20 to 50 is around five and a half hours.
A half-marathon is a 21-kilometer-long race. From km to miles, it’s 13.1 miles. It’s usually completed around three and a half hours, but the final time will still depend on your experience and personal goals.
The start times are staggered for various divisions. The 1st wave starts at 10 a.m., while the last wave kicks off at 11:15 a.m.
The start times are staggered for various divisions. Wave 1 starts at 7:30 a.m. and Wave 3 commences at 8:35 a.m.
The 2025 New York Marathon’s first wave starts at 8 a.m. on Sunday, November 2, 2025.
Remember — regardless of your goal, finishing a marathon is a respectable achievement in itself. It doesn’t matter if you don’t meet the world’s average time, especially if it’s your first time. It’s okay to go five and even seven hours, as long as you never lose the drive to cross the finish line.
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