Free Marathon Time Predictor

Predict your marathon finish time based on a shorter race result using the Riegel formula.

minutes

Predicted Marathon Time (min)

240.2 minutes

Marathon Time (hours)4.00 hours
Predicted Pace9.17 min/mile

Predicted Marathon Time (min) vs Recent Race Time

Riegel Formula

Predicted Time = Race Time x (Target Distance / Race Distance)^1.06

The Riegel formula, developed by Peter Riegel in 1977, accounts for the fact that pace slows as distance increases. The exponent 1.06 captures this endurance fatigue factor.

Example Calculation

A runner who completed a 5K (3.1 miles) in 25 minutes.

  1. 01Marathon distance = 26.2 miles
  2. 02Distance ratio = 26.2 / 3.1 = 8.452
  3. 03Predicted time = 25 x 8.452^1.06
  4. 04= 25 x 9.55 = 238.7 minutes
  5. 05= 3 hours 58.7 minutes
  6. 06Pace = 238.7 / 26.2 = 9.11 min/mile

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