Average Half Marathon Times
Average Half Marathon Time By Age
Compare estimated recreational half marathon times across different age groups for men and women.
Estimated recreational half marathon times
These are broad recreational running benchmarks and not official race standards. Actual half marathon times vary depending on training, experience, age, fitness, course and race conditions.
| Age Group | Male Average | Female Average |
|---|---|---|
| 20-29 | 2:00-2:15 | 2:10-2:30 |
| 30-39 | 2:02-2:20 | 2:12-2:35 |
| 40-49 | 2:08-2:28 | 2:18-2:45 |
| 50-59 | 2:18-2:45 | 2:30-3:05 |
| 60+ | 2:35-3:15 | 2:50-3:35 |
Popular Half Marathon Pace Guides
What affects average half marathon times?
Half marathon performance depends heavily on endurance, weekly mileage, pacing discipline and long-run consistency.
Because the distance is 21.1 kilometres, small differences in pace can make a large difference to finish time.
Frequently asked questions
What is a good average half marathon time?
A good recreational half marathon time is often considered under 2 hours, while experienced runners may target under 1 hour 45 minutes or under 1 hour 30 minutes.
What is an average beginner half marathon time?
Many beginner runners complete a half marathon in around 2 to 3 hours depending on fitness, training, age and race conditions.
Do half marathon times change with age?
Yes. Half marathon performance often changes with age due to differences in endurance, recovery, training consistency and aerobic capacity.