The time it takes to run a marathon (26.2 miles or 42.195 km) varies widely depending on experience, age, gender, and fitness level.
- Average marathon finish times worldwide are around 4 hours and 30 minutes to 4 hours and 35 minutes. For men, the average is about 4:21, and for women, about 4:48
- For beginners , a typical finish time ranges from about 5 to 6 hours, corresponding to a pace of roughly 11 to 13 minutes per mile. Some beginners may take longer, especially if using run-walk strategies
- Elite runners complete marathons much faster, with world-class male times around 2:01 to 2:05 and elite female times just over 2:20
- Age affects times : younger and middle-aged runners tend to be faster, with average times increasing as age advances. For example, runners aged 20-29 average about 4:28, while those over 70 average over 5:20
- Training duration for marathon readiness is typically 16 to 20 weeks, allowing runners to build endurance safely for the 3 to 6 hours of running required
In summary, most recreational runners finish a marathon between about 4 and 5 hours, while beginners often take 5 to 6 hours or more depending on their pace and strategy. Elite athletes run it in about 2 to 2.5 hours
