Half Marathon Pace Guide

How to Run a Sub 2 Hour 30
Half Marathon.

Pace, splits & training plan for a sub 2:30 half marathon.

Your pace

To run a sub 2:30 half marathon, you need to maintain a pace of 7:07/km (11:27/mi).

Pace /km

7:07

min/km

Pace /mile

11:27

min/mi

Speed

8.4

km/h

Speed

5.2

mph

Full splits

KM Cumulative Time
1 7:07
2 14:13
3 21:20
4 28:26
5 35:33
6 42:40
7 49:46
8 56:53
9 1:03:59
10 1:11:06
11 1:18:12
12 1:25:19
13 1:32:26
14 1:39:32
15 1:46:39
16 1:53:45
17 2:00:52
18 2:07:59
19 2:15:05
20 2:22:12
21 2:29:18
21.0975 2:30:00
Mile Cumulative Time
1 11:27
2 22:53
3 34:20
4 45:46
5 57:13
6 1:08:39
7 1:20:06
8 1:31:32
9 1:42:59
10 1:54:25
11 2:05:52
12 2:17:18
13 2:28:45
13.11 2:30:00

What does this pace feel like?

At 7:06/km, you're running at a pace that many would describe as a comfortable jog. The pace itself isn't the challenge — it's the duration. Running for two and a half hours requires building up your endurance gradually. This is a great first-time half marathon target.

How to train for a 2:30 half marathon

For a 2:30 half marathon, focus on building the ability to run for 2.5 hours rather than worrying about speed. Run three times per week: two easy runs of 30–40 minutes and one long run that you gradually extend to 16–18 km.

There's no need for dedicated speed work at this stage — just running consistently will improve your pace naturally. If you want to add variety, include a gentle fartlek in one of your easy runs (pick up the pace slightly for lampposts or 1-minute bursts).

Allow 10–12 weeks and be patient with your long run progression. Increase it by no more than 1–2 km per week. Practice eating and drinking during your long runs — you'll need to fuel during 2.5 hours of running. A gel or energy chew every 45 minutes is a good starting point.

Adjust your target

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FAQs

Is a 2:30 half marathon OK for a first timer?

Absolutely. A 2:30 half marathon is a respectable first attempt. The achievement is completing the distance — the time will improve with experience.

How far should my longest training run be?

Build to 16–18 km for your longest run, about 3 weeks before race day. You don't need to run the full 21.1 km in training.