How Many Steps Are In A Marathon And Half-Marathon?
If you are training for a half-marathon or marathon, then chances are you are watching your step count closely.
While keeping track of your steps over the day can help you improve your fitness goal, understanding the average step count of a marathon gives you a clear finish target.
In this article, we explain why measuring your steps is so important and we find out how many steps are in a marathon and half-marathon on average.
How Many Steps Are In A Marathon?
While runners take an average of 39,731 steps to complete a marathon, walkers average 54,182 walking steps to get to the marathon finish line.
Running Steps In A Marathon
On average, there are 39,731 running steps in a marathon when looking at the average of both male and female runners going at a pace of 10 minutes per mile.
However, some of the fastest runners complete a marathon with just 28,558 steps, while slow runners need 52,321 steps to get to the finish line.
Walking Steps In A Marathon
In comparison, male and female walkers take an average of 54,182 walking steps in a marathon.
Men can average around 52,950 steps in a marathon. This being said, slow walkers need around 61,000 steps, while faster walkers take 44,600 steps to complete a marathon.
Women take on average 54,150 steps to get to the marathon finish line. The fastest female walkers need 46,243 steps, while slow walkers complete a marathon in 62,120 steps.
How Many Steps Are In A Half-Marathon?
As a runner, you can expect to complete a half marathon averaging around 20,200 steps. In comparison, walkers can get to the finish line with an average of 26,800 steps.
Running Steps In A Half-Marathon
Fast runners can complete a half marathon with 14,280 steps, while slow runners need 26,100 steps to get to the finish line.
Walking Steps In A Half-Marathon
The average walker can complete a half marathon in 26,800 steps. Fast, female walkers may need just 23,100 steps, while slow walkers need 31,000 steps.
In comparison, men can complete a half marathon with 26,500 steps.
However, slower walkers may need 30,600 steps, while faster walkers take 23,100 steps to get to the half-marathon finish line.
How Many Steps Are In A Mile Running?
On average, a person takes 1,500 steps to run a mile. However, this is based on a stride length of a maximum of 2.5 feet and 10 minutes of running time.
If your stride length is wider and you run the same distance at a faster speed, then you can expect your step count to be near 1,000 steps.
How Many Steps Are In A Mile Walking?
On average, a person walks around 2,000 steps in a mile. This averages around 10,000 steps every five miles.
This is also the average step count per day that you should do when you are training for long-distance runs or walks.
You can use this 10,000-step rule to improve your training goal for a marathon or half marathon.
Slowly increase your step count according to your exercise routine until you hit the distance for a half marathon (13,110 miles) or a marathon (26,218 miles).
Factors That Affect The Number Of Steps
All recommended step counts are based on average figures. Your step count is individual to you because there are a number of factors that affect how many steps you take.
Your Step Length
The length of your steps is a key factor in determining the number of steps in a mile, half-marathon or marathon.
Your Height
Tall people usually have longer feet which means that they can also take wider strides. This allows them to take fewer steps on average over a mile.
In combination with your height, your age can also affect your step count. As we grow shorter as we get older, our step count increases with age.
Your Running Speed
The faster you walk or run, the fewer steps you take. This means that fast runners or walkers can expect to take fewer steps during a half-marathon or marathon.
Your Gender
As a rule of thumb, women take slightly more steps than men because they are shorter and have shorter step lengths.
Running Or Walking
Whether you are walking or running affects your step length. That’s why runners take a lot fewer steps than walkers during a marathon and half-marathon.
Why Track The Number Of Steps In A Marathon?
There is a good reason why keeping track of your steps when you are training for a marathon is important.
Increasing your number of steps per minute per mile means that you increase your step. This affects your overall speed and your finish time.
This being said, it’s important for avid runners and walkers to measure their average step count first and then start training.
This will give you your individual step count and allow you to track progress.
The Best Ways To Measure Your Steps
Measuring your steps couldn’t be any easier. There are plenty of devices that help you keep track of your steps and training progress.
Smartwatch
One of the best ways to measure how many steps you take is a smartwatch. You can easily strap a smartwatch to your wrist and it tracks your steps, heart rate and other essential vitals.
Smartphone
As an alternative to a smartwatch, you can also download step counter apps to your mobile phone that track your steps.
Pedometers
If you only want to track your step count during your runs, then you can get a pedometer that allows you to view how many steps you take.
Final Thoughts
How many steps you take during a half-marathon or marathon is individual to you. It’s a good idea to track your steps and increase them over time to up improve your training.
