What is the average marathon time?

In the world of marathon, there are symbolic benchmarks, but do they align with the average marathon time? The “sub 4 hours” is one, for example. Successfully completing the 42.195 km in under 4 hours is the goal of many amateur runners, and it's understandable why: only 30% of finishers worldwide manage to achieve this challenge. Four hours is also the median time for most of the major French marathons. With training and experience, you can improve your timings and maybe one day aim for the “sub 3 hours”, a sort of Grail on this mythical distance.

In 2024, RunRepeat compiled results from 28,000 races organized worldwide over the past 20 years. This study amassed 35 million results. It provides a clear idea of the average level of marathon runners worldwide. 

If you want to be faster than the average marathoner - across all ages and genders - you must aim for a time under 4 hours 26 minutes and 33 seconds. This corresponds to an average speed of 9.5 km/h or an average pace of 6 minutes and 19 seconds per kilometer.

If you want to be among the top 10% of fastest marathoners, you should aim for a time under 3 hours 31 minutes and 46 seconds. Only 1% of runners worldwide manage to run a marathon in under 2 hours 50 minutes and 48 seconds.

The average marathon time for women is 4 hours 42 minutes and 9 seconds. If you manage to run under four hours, you are faster than 80% of women. Under 3 hours 49 minutes and 22 seconds, you are then among the top 10% fastest. Only 1% of women worldwide complete the 42.195 km marathon in under 3 hours 11 minutes and 35 seconds. 

For men, the average time is 4 hours 14 minutes and 29 seconds. If you manage to run under four hours, you are faster than 70% of men. Under 3 hours 22 minutes and 40 seconds, you are among the top 10% fastest. Only 1% of men run a marathon in under 2 hours 44 minutes and 18 seconds. 

Aiming for a sub 4 hours marathon is a great goal since, across all genders and ages, only 30% of participants manage to achieve it. 

To reach this goal, you will need to run at an average speed of 10.55 km/h over 42.195 km, or at an average pace of 5 minutes and 41 seconds per kilometer. 

Now, let's focus more specifically on average marathon times and timings achieved in France and abroad.  

In the major French marathons held during the 2023-24 season, the median time, across all genders, ranges between 3 hours 48 minutes and 4 hours 14 minutes. The Marathon Vert in Rennes is the fastest, likely aided by its very flat profile (65 meters of negative elevation between the start and finish). We have also provided you with the times to achieve to be among the top 10% and 20% fastest in each marathon.

Two other popular marathons are out of competition. These are the Marathon du Médoc and the Beaujolais Marathon. They fall into another category, that of festive races, and their course is not conducive to performance. Here, most participants do not have a specific time goal in mind. The most important thing is to have a good time, enjoy the gourmet refreshments, and reach the finish line without watching the clock. Logically, median times are significantly higher than in other marathons. 

With its 53,899 finishers in the 2024 edition, the Schneider Electric Paris Marathon, it is also a unique marathon. Firstly because it is by far the most popular marathon in France among the biggest international marathons.

It brings together both excellent-level runners (nearly 500 runners under 2 hours 45 minutes in 2024) and many enthusiasts who have come to try to beat their personal records. But also a large number of novices (46% of first-time marathoners in 2024) and recreational runners who have come to experience the unique atmosphere of the largest French marathon. This is why the median time in Paris is significantly higher than in other French marathons: 5 hours 51 minutes in 2024. It's better to rely on the average time, which is 4 hours 11 minutes and 24 seconds. The top 10% fastest runners in Paris run under 3 hours 38 minutes, and the top 20% run under 4 hours 16 minutes. 

The World Marathon Majors circuit includes six of the largest international marathons. For some marathoners, completing these six marathons represents a lifetime goal. In 2023, 12,772 people achieved this goal and received the “Six Stars medal”. The average time of these seasoned runners across the six marathons was 4 hours 2 minutes and 53 seconds. 

Here are the average times achieved in each of the six marathons in 2023 (considering all finishers:

How can it be explained that the Boston Marathon, one of the most challenging due to its course, ranks ahead of Berlin with its super fast course conducive to records? It should be noted that access to this marathon is very restrictive. 80% of entrants must meet certain minimums based on their age category: for example, having already run a marathon in under 3 hours for a man aged 18 to 34, or in under 4 hours 05 minutes for a woman aged 55 to 59. 

The Valencia Marathon in Spain is not part of the World Marathon Majors circuit, but it attracts a large number of elite runners. It's one of the best in the world for aiming for a fast time. During the last edition, in December 2024, the average race time was 3 hours 39 minutes and 12 seconds.

As previously mentioned, gender is a primary discriminating factor in performance. According to a RunRepeat study, the difference between the average marathon time for men and for women is 11%. 

Then, age impacts physical and physiological potential, notably on MAS. However, marathon performance relies on many other factors. This is why we observe progressions in marathon times well into advanced ages. 

Obviously, improving your overall physical condition is a key element when it comes to performing. This involves training and your lifestyle habits (sleep, diet, rest days, stress reduction). 

Another factor, sometimes overlooked, is your experience with the distance. It is very difficult to fully measure oneself in one's first marathons. Endurance events take time to master. With experience, you learn to better manage your effort and understand the specificities of this distance.  

Next, choosing the right marathon is essential if you want to aim for a time that meets your expectations. Elevation, density, and timing all play a crucial role. You'll find all the details on the best marathon for beginners. 

It's not necessary to compare yourself to others to determine what a "good" time is, quite the opposite. It's more fulfilling to focus on your own progress. Running is first and foremost about trying to do your best, based on your own qualities (physical and mental strength) and your ability to train. depending on your own qualities (physical and Mental strength) and your ability to train yourself. 

For a first marathon, the best advice we can give you is to set a cautious goal. It is very common to overestimate one's abilities by basing them on previous times achieved at shorter distances, 10 km or half marathon.  You will find here all the details to accurately estimate your marathon time.  

If you choose a Campus plan, we will set this goal for you to make it realistic and achievable based on your profile, your resources, and the duration of your plan. 

In the running survey 2024, Campus analyzed data from 12,000 runners randomly selected from our users. 

The average marathon race time in 2023 is 3 hours 47. The average time is 3 hours 44 for men and 4 hours 14 for women. These times are lower than the average and median times usually observed in marathons, whether worldwide or in France. 

The average time of 3 hours 47 minutes achieved by Campus users in the year 2023 corresponds to a pace of 5 minutes and 22 seconds per kilometer. The average pace is 5 minutes 18 seconds for men and 6 minutes 01 seconds for women. You can determine your paces based on your run times with the Campus pace calculator. 

If you want to take on the marathon challenge or improve on this distance, we invite you to discover the Campus marathon training plans. Our programs, ranging from 12 weeks to 12 months in duration, are individualized based on your profile, your running history, your injury background, and your goal. Each plan is scalable and offers you a large variety of workouts.