To run a sub-2 hour half marathon you hold 5:41 per km (9:09 per mile) across 21.0975 km. The split table below shows the cumulative time to aim for at each kilometre and mile.
Splits for 2:00:00
| Kilometre | Cumulative |
|---|---|
| 1 km | 5:41 |
| 2 km | 11:23 |
| 3 km | 17:04 |
| 4 km | 22:45 |
| 5 km | 28:26 |
| 6 km | 34:08 |
| 7 km | 39:49 |
| 8 km | 45:30 |
| 9 km | 51:11 |
| 10 km | 56:53 |
| 11 km | 1:02:34 |
| 12 km | 1:08:15 |
| 13 km | 1:13:57 |
| 14 km | 1:19:38 |
| 15 km | 1:25:19 |
| 16 km | 1:31:00 |
| 17 km | 1:36:42 |
| 18 km | 1:42:23 |
| 19 km | 1:48:04 |
| 20 km | 1:53:45 |
| 21 km | 1:59:27 |
| 21.0975 km (finish) | 2:00:00 |
| Mile | Cumulative |
|---|---|
| Mile 1 | 9:09 |
| Mile 2 | 18:18 |
| Mile 3 | 27:28 |
| Mile 4 | 36:37 |
| Mile 5 | 45:46 |
| Mile 6 | 54:55 |
| Mile 7 | 1:04:05 |
| Mile 8 | 1:13:14 |
| Mile 9 | 1:22:23 |
| Mile 10 | 1:31:32 |
| Mile 11 | 1:40:41 |
| Mile 12 | 1:49:51 |
| Mile 13 | 1:59:00 |
| 13.11 mi (finish) | 2:00:00 |
These are even splits. Most runners are better off a touch slower than this for the first portion, then holding or edging down. Going out faster than goal pace is the most common way this time slips away.
What this goal takes
Breaking 2 hours in the half is one of the most common goals in the sport. It is well within reach on 35 to 55 km a week, with a long run out to 18 to 20 km. Your training paces come from a VDOT of about 36.5.
The half rewards a controlled first 5 km. Settle in slightly under goal pace, find a rhythm, then press from halfway. Threshold fitness is what holds the pace in the closing kilometres.
The same fitness at other distances
If you can run 2:00:00 for the half marathon, here is roughly what the same fitness predicts elsewhere, assuming you train for that distance too.
| Distance | Equivalent time | Pace |
|---|---|---|
| 5K | 26:04 | 5:13 /km · 8:23 /mi |
| 10K | 54:07 | 5:25 /km · 8:43 /mi |
| Half marathon | 2:00:00 | this goal |
| Marathon | 4:07:45 | 5:52 /km · 9:27 /mi |
Your training paces at this level
A 2:00:00 half marathon works out to a VDOT of about 36.5. From that single number, the Daniels system sets the paces you should actually train at. Easy days should feel easy. The hard work is rationed.
| Zone | Pace (km) | Pace (mi) | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|
| Easy (E) | 6:35 /km | 10:35 /mi | Aerobic base and recovery |
| Marathon (M) | 5:42 /km | 9:10 /mi | Marathon-specific endurance |
| Threshold (T) | 5:29 /km | 8:50 /mi | Lactate clearance, comfortably hard |
| Interval (I) | 5:02 /km | 8:06 /mi | VO2max, 3-5 min reps |
| Repetition (R) | 4:46 /km | 7:40 /mi | Speed and economy |
Want these paces tracked and adjusted as your fitness moves? That is what Smart Runner does on your iPhone and Apple Watch, and it recalculates after every run. You can also check any race result in the VDOT calculator or the pace calculator.
Common questions
Is a sub-2 hour half marathon a good half marathon time?
It is a solid goal for a committed recreational runner. Compare it against a recent race in the VDOT calculator to see how far off you are and plan a block accordingly.
What pace is a sub-2 hour half marathon?
5:41 per kilometre, or 9:09 per mile, for the full half marathon.
How do I train for the half?
Build an aerobic base of easy running, add one weekly threshold session, and progress a long run toward 18 to 20 km. The threshold work is what moves half-marathon times.