What is a Good Half Marathon Time, Really? (Exploring Different Goals)
A good half marathon time is around 1:45 to 2:00 for most recreational runners. Across all finishers the average sits somewhere between 2:00 and 2:20, with men averaging roughly 1:59 and women roughly 2:14. Where you land depends on your age, your sex, and how many weeks of structured training you have behind you, so the calculator and charts below let you place yourself precisely rather than settle for a broad average.
Enter your time to see your pace per mile and per kilometer, how you compare against runners like you, and the equivalent times you could expect at other distances, from a good 5K time to a good 10K time. Then use the tables to see what counts as a good half marathon for your age group and ability level.
Half Marathon Pace & Time Calculator
Enter your half marathon time to see your pace, how you compare, and your equivalent 5K, 10K, half, and full marathon times.
| 5K | – |
| 10K | – |
| Half marathon | – |
| Marathon | – |
Equivalents use Pete Riegel’s race-prediction formula and assume comparable training and conditions. Ability tiers are approximate guides based on typical race-result data.
Average half marathon time by age and sex
The times below come from large race-result analyses, including RunRepeat data, and represent typical finishing ranges by age group and sex. Use them as orientation points, not hard standards.
| Age | Men | Women |
|---|---|---|
| 20s | 1:50 to 2:05 | 2:05 to 2:20 |
| 30s | 1:50 to 2:05 | 2:05 to 2:20 |
| 40s | 1:55 to 2:15 | 2:10 to 2:30 |
| 50s | 2:05 to 2:25 | 2:20 to 2:45 |
| 60s | 2:25 to 3:00 | 2:40 to 3:15 |
| 70 and over | 3:00 plus | 3:15 plus |
What counts as a good half marathon time?
The bands below give you a target to aim at depending on where you are right now. Average marks a solid recreational finish; good means you are running with some real purpose behind it.
| Level | Men | Women | Pace |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beginner | 2:20 to 3:00 | 2:30 to 3:15 | 10:40 to 13:45 /mi |
| Novice | 2:00 to 2:20 | 2:10 to 2:30 | 9:10 to 10:40 /mi |
| Intermediate | 1:45 to 2:00 | 1:55 to 2:10 | 8:00 to 9:10 /mi |
| Advanced | 1:20 to 1:45 | 1:30 to 1:55 | 6:06 to 8:00 /mi |
| Elite | under 1:15 | under 1:25 | sub 5:43 /mi |
Half marathon pace chart
Finishing a half marathon in your target time means holding a consistent pace across all 13.1 miles. The chart below shows the per-mile and per-kilometer pace you need to hit common goal times.
| Time | Pace per mile | Pace per km |
|---|---|---|
| 1:20:00 | 6:06 | 3:48 |
| 1:30:00 | 6:52 | 4:16 |
| 1:40:00 | 7:38 | 4:44 |
| 1:50:00 | 8:23 | 5:13 |
| 2:00:00 | 9:09 | 5:41 |
| 2:10:00 | 9:55 | 6:10 |
| 2:20:00 | 10:41 | 6:38 |
| 2:30:00 | 11:27 | 7:07 |
| 2:40:00 | 12:12 | 7:35 |
What affects your half marathon time
Four things move your half marathon time more than the rest:
- Aerobic base and long-run fitness. The half marathon is primarily an endurance event. A weekly long run that builds toward 10 to 12 miles is the single biggest lever for most developing runners.
- Pacing discipline. Going out too fast in the first 3 miles is the most common way to fall apart in the second half. An even or slightly negative split almost always produces a better finish time.
- Race-day fueling. Most runners are on the course for well over an hour, and carbohydrate and fluid intake past roughly the 60 minute mark can make a measurable difference in the closing miles.
- Terrain and conditions. A hilly course or a warm, humid morning can add several minutes to your time compared to a flat race on a cool day.
How to improve your half marathon time
The fastest way to take real time off your half marathon is to build two things: a deeper aerobic engine and the ability to hold your goal pace when it starts to feel hard.
- Build your long run gradually. A weekly long run that progresses toward 10 to 12 miles trains the endurance the half marathon demands above everything else.
- Add one tempo or threshold session per week. Running at a comfortably hard effort for 20 to 40 minutes sharpens your ability to sustain pace for 13.1 miles.
- Keep your easy miles easy. The bulk of your weekly mileage should feel genuinely comfortable. Aerobic volume built at low intensity is the foundation your harder sessions sit on.
- Practice your fueling and pacing in training. Take on carbohydrate and fluid during your longer runs the same way you plan to on race day, and rehearse holding your target pace rather than guessing at it.
Most developing runners who follow a consistent 10 to 12 week block see their half marathon time drop by 5 to 15 minutes.
The bottom line
A good half marathon time is mostly the one that beats your last. The average finish lands somewhere between 2:00 and 2:20, sub 2:00 is the classic recreational milestone requiring about 9:09 per mile, and breaking 1:30 puts you among the faster everyday runners at most local races. Use the calculator to set your next target, then train the aerobic base and pacing discipline that get you there.
Frequently asked questions
Is a 2 hour half marathon good?
Yes. Sub 2:00 is the most common recreational goal in the half marathon and a genuinely strong result. It means holding about 9:09 per mile, or 5:41 per kilometer, for the full 13.1 miles.
What is a good half marathon time for a beginner?
For a first half marathon, finishing between 2:20 and 3:00 is very normal. Going under 2:30 off a structured training block is a solid result that most first-timers can aim for.
What is the average half marathon time?
The average half marathon finish is roughly 2:00 to 2:20 across all runners. Men average around 1:59 and women around 2:14, based on large race-result analyses.
How long does it take to train for a half marathon?
Most training plans run 10 to 12 weeks for runners who already have a base of easy mileage. A consistent block in that range is also enough time for a developing runner to drop 5 to 15 minutes off their finish time.
How does a half marathon compare to a full marathon?
The half marathon is 13.1 miles, exactly half the marathon distance of 26.2 miles. Your half marathon time is one of the best predictors of your marathon potential, and the calculator above shows the equivalent times across both distances.
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