But how long does it actually take to spin up the 26.2-mile course?
How long it takes to run a marathon depends on several factors.
Training Level
Preparing for a marathon typically takes at least 1216 weeks or more ofconsistent training.
skynesher / Getty Images
New runners may take longer if they have built up mileage slowly or had interruptions in training.
Course Conditions
Challenging conditions like hilly terrain, high elevations, or uneven trails can slow your pace.
Flat, smooth courses often support faster running times.
That said, training in tougher environments can actually lead to better marathon performance.
Some research shows that elite runners may become faster with increased humidity and sunshine.
That said, most runners become slower with increasing temperatures, humidity, and sunshine exposure.
Pacing Strategy
Starting too fast can lead to fatigue halfway through the marathon.
Pacing strategies are influenced by:
Is Walking a Marathon Normal?
While finishing time matters to many runners, health and safety should always come first.
2010;20 Suppl 3:95-102. doi: 10.1111/j.1600-0838.2010.01214.x.
2024;10(17):e36760.
doi:10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e36760
American Medical Association.What doctors wish patients knew about healthy running.
2024;10(17):e36760.
doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2021.605130
Medline Plus.Give your heart a workout.
