Predict

Marathon time predictor

Your recent race

Metric
h:mm:ss
km

Predicted Marathon

3:24:40

4:51 /km

Optimistic
3:21:51
Expected
3:24:40
Conservative
3:30:25

Assumes you are trained for the distance. Riegel over-predicts when speed outruns endurance base.

Split ladder

Equivalent efforts
  1. 5K21:20
  2. 10K44:30
  3. Half Marathon1:38:10
  4. Marathon3:24:40

Your entered race is marked; every other row is projected from it.

Worked example

A 44:30 10K projects to a 3:24:43 marathon at 4:51/km. With a longest run of 28 km that expected figure holds; under 21 km the conservative end moves out past 3:45, and that is the number to plan against.

Common questions

How accurate is a marathon prediction from a 10K?
Accurate within a few minutes for athletes with a genuine marathon build behind them. For runners whose speed outpaces their endurance base it commonly over-predicts by ten minutes or more — the error is almost always in the optimistic direction.
Which race should I enter for the best prediction?
The closest distance to your target that you have raced recently and honestly. A half marathon predicts a marathon far better than a 5K does, because it tests more of the same endurance.
Why is my predicted pace slower than my 10K pace?
Sustainable pace falls as distance rises. Riegel models that decay with an exponent of 1.06, which is why a marathon pace lands well below 10K pace even for a well-trained runner.
Does this account for hills, heat, or course profile?
No. It projects from one flat-course performance to another. Heat, elevation and wind all cost time on top of this estimate.

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