Running Distance & Pace Guides
Guides to race distances and finish times—how far a marathon and half marathon really are, in miles and kilometers, and how long they take to run.
How Many Miles Is a Half Marathon? 13.1 Miles Explained
A half marathon is 13.1 miles (21.0975 km) — exactly 13 miles 192.5 yards. The distance in miles, km, and track laps, typical finish times, and a half-marathon pace table.
Read guide →How Long Does It Take to Run a Marathon? Average Times
How long it takes to run a marathon: the average finish is about 4:30, with most runners between 3:30 and 5:30. Average times by experience level, by pace, and the factors that change them.
Read guide →How Many Miles Is a Marathon? 26.2 Miles Explained
A marathon is 26.2 miles (42.195 km) — exactly 26 miles 385 yards. The distance in miles, kilometers, feet, and track laps, plus how it compares to a 5K, 10K, and half marathon.
Read guide →Marathon in Kilometers
A marathon is 42.195 km (42,195 m); a half is 21.0975 km. The distance in km, per-kilometer pace for every goal time, and 5K-by-5K splits for a 4-hour marathon.
Read guide →How Many Laps Around a Track Is a Marathon? 105.5
A marathon is 105.5 laps of a standard 400m track; a half is 52.7 laps. Lap counts for the 5K, 10K, half, and full, plus why outer lanes do not count.
Read guide →How Long Is a Marathon on a Treadmill? Time & Tips
Running a marathon on a treadmill: it's still 26.2 miles. How long it takes by pace, the 1% incline rule, the 60-minute auto-shutoff, and tips to survive 26.2 indoors.
Read guide →Marathon vs Half Marathon
Marathon vs half marathon: 26.2 vs 13.1 miles compared on distance, training time, difficulty, pace, and recovery. Which to run, and why the full is more than twice as hard.
Read guide →Why Is a Marathon 26.2 Miles? The 1908 Olympic Story
Why is a marathon 26.2 miles? The distance comes from the 1908 London Olympics — 26 miles 385 yards from Windsor Castle to the royal box — and was standardized at 42.195 km in 1921.
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