Average Half Marathon Time by Age, Sex, and Ability Level
The half marathon race is ideal for runners who have already run several 5K and 10K races and enjoy long-distance running.
But you are probably wondering what is a good half marathon finish time?
In this article, you will find out what is the average half marathon time and will be able to compare your result with the average results according to age, sex, and ability level.
Average half marathon time
The average half marathon time is between 2:03:21 and 2:10:32, which means that the average running pace is between 9:25 and 9:57 minutes per mile. Multiple factors, like age, sex, ability level, experience, weather, and terrain, will affect your half marathon time.
Average half marathon time by age and gender
The table below shows the average half marathon times according to age and gender.
| Age group | Men | Women |
|---|---|---|
| 0 – 15 | 2:23:34 | 2:49:08 |
| 16 – 19 | 2:04:46 | 2:30:47 |
| 20 – 24 | 2:06:05 | 2:20:17 |
| 25 – 29 | 2:05:52 | 2:20:57 |
| 30 – 34 | 2:05:52 | 2:23:08 |
| 35 – 39 | 2:07:11 | 2:23:47 |
| 40 – 44 | 2:05:52 | 2:25:32 |
| 45 – 49 | 2:08:03 | 2:29:28 |
| 50 – 54 | 2:13:31 | 2:37:33 |
| 55 – 59 | 2:18:46 | 2:48:03 |
| 60 – 64 | 2:26:24 | 2:58:06 |
| 65 – 99 | 2:43:01 | 3:09:14 |
Average half marathon winning time
The average half marathon winning time for women is 1:25:55, which means that the average pace is 6:33 minutes per mile.
The average half marathon winning time for men is 1:15:11, which means that the average pace is 5:44 minutes per mile.
A runner capable of finishing a half marathon race within the time displayed in the tables will most probably win in his age group.
The table below shows the average half marathon winning time with the average pace for women according to age groups.
| Age group | Average half marathon winning time for women | Pace (min/mi) | Pace (min/km) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-14 | 2:50:37 | 13:01 | 8:05 |
| 15-19 | 1:50:09 | 8:24 | 5:13 |
| 20-29 | 1:25:32 | 6:31 | 4:03 |
| 30-39 | 1:24:55 | 6:29 | 4:02 |
| 40-49 | 1:30:32 | 6:54 | 4:17 |
| 50-59 | 1:39:01 | 7:33 | 4:42 |
| 60-69 | 1:54:10 | 8:43 | 5:25 |
| 70-100 | 2:37:03 | 11:59 | 7:27 |
The table below shows the average half marathon winning time with the average pace for men according to age groups.
| Age group | Average half marathon winning time for men | Pace (min/mi) | Pace (min/km) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-14 | 2:14:55 | 10:18 | 6:24 |
| 15-19 | 1:34:25 | 7:12 | 4:29 |
| 20-29 | 1:13:53 | 5:38 | 3:30 |
| 30-39 | 1:14:48 | 5:42 | 3:33 |
| 40-49 | 1:19:30 | 6:04 | 3:46 |
| 50-59 | 1:25:05 | 6:29 | 4:02 |
| 60-69 | 1:36:36 | 7:22 | 4:35 |
| 70-100 | 1:57:51 | 8:59 | 5:35 |
Average half marathon time for women
The average half marathon time for women is 2:10:32, which means that the average pace is 9:57 minutes per mile.
To be among the fastest 10% of women, you must run below 1:39:32 (the average pace of 7:36 minutes per mile), and to be among the fastest 1% of women, you must run below 1:16:46 (the average pace of 5:51 minutes per mile).
| Percentile | Time | Pace (min/mi) | Pace (min/km) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st percentile | 1:16:46 | 5:51 | 3:38 |
| 10th percentile | 1:39:32 | 7:36 | 4:43 |
| 20th percentile | 1:50:26 | 8:25 | 5:14 |
| 30th percentile | 1:57:29 | 8:58 | 5:34 |
| 40th percentile | 2:04:15 | 9:29 | 5:53 |
| 50th percentile | 2:10:32 | 9:57 | 6:11 |
| 60th percentile | 2:17:14 | 10:28 | 6:30 |
| 70th percentile | 2:24:56 | 11:03 | 6:52 |
| 80th percentile | 2:34:32 | 11:47 | 7:19 |
| 90th percentile | 2:47:37 | 12:47 | 7:57 |
The table below shows the average half marathon times with the average pace for women according to age groups.
| Age group | Average half marathon time for women | Pace (min/mi) | Pace (min/km) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 – 15 | 2:49:08 | 12:54 | 8:01 |
| 16 – 19 | 2:30:47 | 11:30 | 7:09 |
| 20 – 24 | 2:20:17 | 10:42 | 6:39 |
| 25 – 29 | 2:20:57 | 10:45 | 6:41 |
| 30 – 34 | 2:23:08 | 10:55 | 6:47 |
| 35 – 39 | 2:23:47 | 10:58 | 6:49 |
| 40 – 44 | 2:25:32 | 11:06 | 6:54 |
| 45 – 49 | 2:29:28 | 11:24 | 7:05 |
| 50 – 54 | 2:37:33 | 12:01 | 7:28 |
| 55 – 59 | 2:48:03 | 12:49 | 7:58 |
| 60 – 64 | 2:58:06 | 13:35 | 8:26 |
| 65 – 99 | 3:09:14 | 14:26 | 8:58 |
Average half marathon time for men
The average half marathon time for men is 2:03:21, which means that the average pace is 9:25 minutes per mile.
To be among the fastest 10% of men, you must run below 1:31:14 (the average pace of 6:58 minutes per mile), and to be among the fastest 1% of men, you must run below 1:10:15 (the average pace of 5:22 minutes per mile).
| Percentile | Time | Pace (min/mi) | Pace (min/km) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st percentile | 1:10:15 | 5:22 | 3:20 |
| 10th percentile | 1:31:14 | 6:58 | 4:19 |
| 20th percentile | 1:42:09 | 7:48 | 4:51 |
| 30th percentile | 1:50:09 | 8:24 | 5:13 |
| 40th percentile | 1:56:32 | 8:53 | 5:31 |
| 50th percentile | 2:03:21 | 9:25 | 5:51 |
| 60th percentile | 2:10:17 | 9:56 | 6:11 |
| 70th percentile | 2:18:11 | 10:32 | 6:33 |
| 80th percentile | 2:28:01 | 11:17 | 7:01 |
| 90th percentile | 2:42:28 | 12:24 | 7:42 |
The table below shows the average half marathon times with the average pace for men according to age groups.
| Age group | Average half marathon time for men | Pace (min/mi) | Pace (min/km) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 – 15 | 2:23:34 | 10:57 | 6:48 |
| 16 – 19 | 2:04:46 | 9:31 | 5:55 |
| 20 – 24 | 2:06:05 | 9:37 | 5:59 |
| 25 – 29 | 2:05:52 | 9:36 | 5:58 |
| 30 – 34 | 2:05:52 | 9:36 | 5:58 |
| 35 – 39 | 2:07:11 | 9:42 | 6:02 |
| 40 – 44 | 2:05:52 | 9:36 | 5:58 |
| 45 – 49 | 2:08:03 | 9:46 | 6:04 |
| 50 – 54 | 2:13:31 | 10:11 | 6:20 |
| 55 – 59 | 2:18:46 | 10:35 | 6:35 |
| 60 – 64 | 2:26:24 | 11:10 | 6:56 |
| 65 – 99 | 2:43:01 | 12:26 | 7:44 |
Average half marathon time for beginners
The average half marathon time for beginners is between 2:25 and 2:45, with the average pace between 11:04 and 12:35 minutes per mile).
If you are a beginner, it is advisable to run a few 5K and 10K races before you start preparing for the half marathon.
How much time you need to prepare for a half marathon race all depends on what your current form is, how active you are, and how much you weigh.
If you are not able to run the entire half marathon in continuity, without stopping, plan your walking and running periods in advance.
Read more: Is It Bad To Take Walk Breaks During A Run?
Tip
If you decide to walk for most of the race or your running pace is slower, be careful when choosing a race. In the race schedule, see if the race has a time limit, that is to say, a limit within which all participants must complete the race. Otherwise, your finishing time will not be taken into account and you will be left without a finishing medal.
Average half marathon time for intermediate runners
The average half marathon time for intermediate male runners is around 1:35, with an average pace of 7:15 minutes per mile.
The average half marathon time for intermediate female runners is around 1:45, with an average pace of 8:01 minutes per mile.
Tip
In order to improve your running time, hard work and continuous training are necessary. It is important to run according to a training plan that includes a combination of different types of workouts and sets different requirements for your body.
Half marathon world record
The women’s half marathon world record is 1:02:52 (the average pace of 4:48 minutes per mile), and it was run by Letesenbet Gidey in Valencia (ESP) in 2021.
The men’s half marathon world record is 57:31 (the average pace of 4:23 minutes per mile), and it was run by Jacob Kiplimo in Lisoba (POR) in 2021.
What is a good half marathon time?
In general, most runners consider a finishing time that’s under 2 hours to be a good half marathon time.
A good half marathon time depends on many factors such as age, gender, fitness level, experience, weather, and running terrain.
A good half marathon running time varies from person to person.
Someone will find 2 hours a good half marathon time, while some other runner might be dissatisfied with that result.
Many factors affect the race results, including:
- Age – Most professional half marathon runners run their personal records between the ages of 28 and 35.
- Gender – On average, men run faster than women due to genetic predispositions.
- Ability level – Form and health also affect your running time.
- Experience – With years of training, you gain experience that also affects your running time.
- Weather – A half marathon is a long-distance race. So, to have suitable conditions, it is important that it is not too hot and windy.
- Terrain – Flat terrain is ideal for a good half marathon result since it allows you to maintain a steady pace and not lose additional energy running uphill and downhill.
A good half marathon time is a result you are satisfied with.
Tip
Do not compare yourself to others, everyone is different. Track your own results and overcome your boundaries. Enjoy running and progress gradually in order to train without injuries, because that is most important.
How long is a half marathon?
A half marathon is a road running event of 21.0975 km (13 mi 192½ yd), which is exactly the half distance of the marathon.
A half marathon is known as 21K, 21.1K, or 13.1 miles, which are not exact distances but are rounded values of actual length.
How to predict your half marathon finish time?
If you want to know what time you can expect during a half marathon run, use my race time predictor.
This predictor can predict the result of a targeted race and calculate its average pace based on previous run or race results.
Race time predictor assumes that the runner has done the appropriate training for the distance they want to run.
Tip
A perfect race has minimal pace changes, which is why this race predictor also calculates the average pace. This way you will avoid running too quickly in the earlier stages of a race and exhausting yourself early.
Keep in mind that the predicted result is just an estimate since factors like weather and running terrain can affect the end result of a race.
It might happen that the race takes part on terrain with plenty of slopes, or that there are strong wind and rainfall that will negatively affect your results, and which the predictor simply won’t be able to anticipate.
How to improve your half marathon time?
You can improve your half marathon time in several ways.
Follow an individualized training plan – Training according to a training plan and keeping a training log can allow you to track your progress and better understand what suits you best.
In addition to running, add strength training – By strengthening your whole body, you will reduce the risk of injury, improve strength and stability, correct your muscle imbalance, and with that also become faster.
Pay attention to your running technique – Add running drills into your training routine to improve your running technique and develop proper ground contact.
With running drills, you improve the communication between your brain and your legs.
Because of that, despite the exhaustion, you will still be able to maintain a proper running technique.
With a proper running technique, you will improve your running economy, which means that you will maintain the same pace while losing less energy.
The proper running technique will also reduce the risk of injury. If you are not running with the proper running technique, injuries will likely happen.
Read more: Top 8 Running Drills To Improve Your Form [Video]
Do running strides – Instead of focusing only on increasing mileage, you should do exercises that increase your speed.
Read more: What Are Running Strides And How To Do Them?
Don’t forget to rest – It is just as important as training. Your body needs time to adapt to stress and recover for the next training.
Tip
Listen to your body and recognize the signs of overtraining.
Matea Matošević
Hi, I’m Matea! I’m an Olympic Marathon Runner, founder, and writer behind OLYRUN.com. On this site, I provide help in the form of my knowledge and experience to all who love running and active living. Read more…
