How Long Does It Take to Run a Half Marathon?
The average half marathon finish time is approximately 2 hours and 1 minute, based on RunRepeat (2024, 35 million results). Men average about 1 hour 55 minutes and women about 2 hours 11 minutes. A half marathon is 13.109 miles (21.097 km) — the most popular long-distance race in the world, with over 2 million US finishers annually. The half marathon is often called "the sweet spot" of distance running. It's long enough to feel like a genuine endurance achievement, short enough that most people can train for it in 10–14 weeks without upending their lives.
Calculate Your Running Time
Distance: 13.109 mi (21.10 km)
Half Marathon Times by Experience Level
| Level | Men's Half | Women's Half | Per-Mile Pace |
|---|---|---|---|
| Run-walker | 2:30–3:30+ | 2:45–3:45+ | 11:27–16:00+ |
| Beginner | 2:00–2:30 | 2:15–2:45 | 9:10–11:27 |
| Intermediate | 1:35–2:00 | 1:50–2:15 | 7:16–9:10 |
| Advanced | 1:20–1:35 | 1:30–1:50 | 6:06–7:16 |
| Elite | Under 1:10 | Under 1:15 | Under 5:21 |
A sub-2-hour half marathon (9:09/mile) is the signature goal for recreational runners. A sub-1:45 (8:00/mile) indicates strong recreational fitness. A sub-1:30 (6:52/mile) is advanced.
The men's world record is 57:31 (Jacob Kiplimo, 2021). The women's is 1:02:52 (Letesenbet Gidey, 2021).
Where Your Half Marathon Time Ranks
Based on RunRepeat (2024):
| Percentile | Men's Half | Women's Half | What It Means |
|---|---|---|---|
| Top 1% | Under 1:21 | Under 1:32 | Near-elite competitor |
| Top 5% | Under 1:30 | Under 1:43 | Serious, dedicated |
| Top 10% | Under 1:37 | Under 1:50 | Well-trained recreational |
| Top 25% | Under 1:47 | Under 2:02 | Regular runner |
| Average (50th) | ~1:55 | ~2:11 | Typical finisher |
| Bottom 25% | Over 2:06 | Over 2:24 | Casual / run-walker |
The sub-2-hour threshold is faster than about 60% of men and 70% of women. Crossing that line feels meaningful because it's a clean, memorable number.
Half Marathon Times at Common Paces
| Pace (min/mile) | Half Marathon | Level | Key Milestone |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6:00 | 1:18:40 | Elite | — |
| 6:52 | 1:30:00 | Advanced | Sub-1:30 barrier |
| 7:00 | 1:31:46 | Advanced | — |
| 7:30 | 1:38:19 | Strong intermediate | — |
| 8:00 | 1:44:52 | Intermediate | Sub-1:45 barrier |
| 8:30 | 1:51:25 | Intermediate | — |
| 9:00 | 1:57:59 | Recreational | Sub-2hr attempt |
| 9:09 | 2:00:00 | Recreational | Sub-2:00 barrier |
| 9:30 | 2:04:32 | Recreational | — |
| 10:00 | 2:11:05 | Beginner | Near average |
| 11:00 | 2:24:12 | Beginner | — |
| 12:00 | 2:37:18 | Run-walker | — |
How Half Marathon Times Change by Age
| Age Group | Avg Men's Half | Avg Women's Half | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20–29 | 1:50–2:00 | 2:05–2:18 | Fast legs, developing endurance |
| 30–39 | 1:48–1:58 | 2:02–2:15 | Sweet spot: speed + wisdom |
| 40–49 | 1:52–2:05 | 2:08–2:22 | Slight slowing, strong endurance |
| 50–59 | 2:00–2:15 | 2:18–2:35 | Noticeable speed decline |
| 60–69 | 2:12–2:35 | 2:30–2:55 | Experience offsets decline |
| 70+ | 2:35–3:15+ | 2:55–3:30+ | Remarkable at any time |
The 30–39 age group often posts the fastest half marathon averages, reflecting the intersection of peak fitness with enough experience to pace intelligently.
5 Real-World Examples
1. The Sub-2 First-Timer
Alex, 31, trains 12 weeks targeting sub-2:00. He runs four days per week, building his long run from 8 to 12 miles. Strategy: start at 9:00/mile, hold steady. Finish: 1:57:34.
His 1:57 places him in the top 40% of men. At 170 lbs, he burns approximately 1,672 calories (170 × 0.75 × 13.1). The sub-2 finish — with 2:26 to spare — feels like the biggest athletic achievement of his life.
2. The Beginner Run-Walker
Priya, 44, uses a run-walk strategy: run 3 min, walk 1 min, repeat. Her average pace works out to 11:15/mile. Finish: 2:27:30. She never bonks, never walks longer than planned, and finishes feeling strong.
Her 2:27 is near the bottom 25% by time — but she's ahead of everyone who didn't show up. The run-walk strategy is increasingly endorsed by coaches for first-timers.
3. The PR Chaser
Vanessa, 36, has four halfs (PR: 1:48) and wants sub-1:45. She adds weekly tempo runs at 7:45/mile and long runs with the final 3 miles at goal pace. Finish: 1:43:22 — a 5-minute PR.
Her 1:43 places her in the top 10% of all women (RunRepeat: under 1:50). The improvement came from disciplined pacing — 7:55 for the first 10 miles, 7:50 for the final 5K.
4. The Social Runner
Tom, 55, runs a half every year with his college friends — their annual reunion race. He trains casually (3 runs/week, 15–20 miles total) and finishes in about 2:10 (9:56/mile). He's not chasing time — he's chasing the post-race beer.
His 2:10 is near the male average and well above average for 55–59. He's run the same event 8 times (1:58 to 2:15 range).
5. The 68-Year-Old Competitor
Joan, 68, has run halfs for 15 years. Her current 2:28 (11:18/mile) earns consistent age-group placements. Her PR was 1:52 at age 55 — a 36-minute decline over 13 years, roughly 2–3 minutes per year.
She trains three days per week with one long run of 8–10 miles. Her 2:28 still places her well above average for all women.
Calories Burned Running a Half Marathon
| Body Weight | Calories Burned | vs. Walking 13.1 Miles |
|---|---|---|
| 120 lbs | ~1,179 cal | ~834 cal |
| 150 lbs | ~1,474 cal | ~1,042 cal |
| 170 lbs | ~1,670 cal | ~1,181 cal |
| 190 lbs | ~1,866 cal | ~1,320 cal |
| 210 lbs | ~2,062 cal | ~1,459 cal |
A half marathon burns 1,200–2,000 calories — enough to justify a substantial post-race meal. Fueling during the race (gels after mile 7–8) prevents the energy crash that derails runners in the final miles.
How to Train for a Half Marathon
Build over 10–14 weeks. Your long run should reach 10–12 miles. You don't need to run 13.1 in training — race-day adrenaline and taper carry the final miles.
Run 4 days per week minimum. Two easy runs, one speed or tempo session, one long run. Weekly mileage peaks at 25–35 miles for most recreational runners.
Run the first 5 miles at controlled effort. The biggest half marathon mistake is going out too fast. Run the first 5K at 10–15 seconds per mile slower than goal pace. Restraint early creates strength late.
Take gels after mile 7. A half marathon is long enough to benefit from mid-race fueling, especially if you're out there longer than 1:45. Practice in training.
Negative split if possible. Running the second half faster than the first is smart pacing. Aim to feel "too slow" at mile 3 and "just right" at mile 10.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a good half marathon time?
Under 2:00 is a strong recreational benchmark. Under 1:45 indicates dedicated training. Under 1:30 is advanced. Simply finishing 13.1 miles is something most people never attempt.
Among women, under 1:50 is top 10%. Among men, under 1:37 is top 10% (RunRepeat, 2024).
How does a half marathon predict marathon time?
Multiply by roughly 2.1. A 1:45 half: ~3:40–3:50 marathon. A 2:00 half: ~4:10–4:20. The half marathon is the single best predictor of marathon potential because it tests endurance at a similar effort level.
Can beginners run a half marathon?
Yes, with proper training. Most beginner plans are 10–14 weeks, require a base of running 3–4 miles comfortably, and build to a peak long run of 10–12 miles. Run-walk strategies are completely legitimate.
The half marathon is the most popular US race distance for a reason — it's challenging but achievable for nearly anyone willing to train.
What is the hardest part of a half marathon?
Miles 10–11. By this point you've been running for 80–100 minutes and the finish line still feels distant. The final 2 miles are often mentally easier because the end is visible. Strategy: break miles 10–11 into half-mile chunks. Don't think about the remaining distance.
Related Pages
- How Long to Run a 10K — the step before the half
- How Long to Run a Marathon — double the distance
- How Long to Walk 13 Miles — walking comparison
- How Long to Run 10 Miles — key half training distance
- Running Time Calculator — calculate any distance
Sources Cited
- RunRepeat (2024). Half marathon statistics from 35 million results. runrepeat.com
- Marathon Handbook (2024). Age group data. marathonhandbook.com
- Compendium of Physical Activities — MET values. compendiumofphysicalactivities.com
- World Athletics records — Half marathon. worldathletics.org