Apex Conversion

Running Pace Calculator

Enter a distance and finish time — or pick a race preset — to get your pace per mile, pace per kilometer, and average speed. Works for running, walking, and cycling alike.

Finish time

hr

min

sec

Pace per mile

9:10

Pace per km

5:42

Speed

6.5 mph

Race distances: 5K = 3.107 mi, 10K = 6.214 mi, half marathon = 13.109 mi, marathon = 26.219 mi. Pace is total time ÷ distance — even splits assumed.

How Pace Is Calculated

Pace is simply total time divided by distance — the inverse of speed. Runners think in pace (minutes per mile or km) rather than speed because race goals and training plans are set as even splits: a 30-minute 5K means holding 9:39 per mile the whole way.

Formula & Common Targets

Pace = Total time ÷ Distance

Goal → required pace per mile:
  25:00 5K        → 8:03
  30:00 5K        → 9:39
  1:00:00 10K     → 9:39
  2:00:00 half    → 9:09
  4:00:00 marathon → 9:09
  (pace/km = pace/mile ÷ 1.609)

Frequently Asked Questions

What's a good 5K pace for a beginner?

A 10–12 minute-per-mile pace, finishing between 31 and 37 minutes, is a solid beginner range. A 30-minute 5K (9:39/mile) is a common first milestone goal; experienced recreational runners often target 24–27 minutes.

How do I convert pace per mile to pace per kilometer?

Divide by 1.609 — or for an easy mental version, take about 62% of the mile pace. A 9:00/mile pace is about 5:36/km. The calculator shows both, since US races talk in miles and GPS watches often default to kilometers.

What pace do I need to break 2 hours in a half marathon?

9:09 per mile (5:41 per km) for 13.109 miles. Other common targets: a 4-hour marathon needs 9:09/mile too (same pace, double the distance), and a 25-minute 5K needs 8:03/mile.

Why does my GPS watch show a faster pace than my race result?

GPS watches almost always measure long — weaving around runners, wide turns, and GPS noise add distance, so your watch thinks you ran 3.18 miles in a 5K. Official pace uses the certified distance, which is why race pace reads slower than watch pace.

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