Running
How many miles is a half marathon?
The short answer, the conversion table, and what a good half marathon time actually looks like, plus how to pace all 13.1 miles.
A half marathon is 13.109 miles, exactly 21.0975 kilometres, or half the full marathon distance. Because one kilometre equals 0.621 miles, you multiply 21.0975 by 0.621 to get 13.109 miles. Most people round it to 13.1 miles, and the difference is only about 15 metres, so for training and racing the two are interchangeable.
The conversion factor to remember is 1 kilometre = 0.621 miles, and going the other way, 1 mile = 1.609 kilometres. Every race distance below is just that same factor applied.
Race distances in miles and kilometres
| Race | Kilometres | Miles |
|---|---|---|
| 5K | 5.000 | 3.107 |
| 10K | 10.000 | 6.214 |
| 15K | 15.000 | 9.321 |
| Half marathon | 21.098 | 13.109 |
| Marathon | 42.195 | 26.219 |
Typical half marathon finish times by level
There is no single "normal" half marathon time. It depends on training, age, and terrain, and these ranges give you an honest sense of where different levels land over the 13.109 miles.
| Level | Finish time | Pace / mile |
|---|---|---|
| First-timer | 2:15–2:45 | 10:18–12:35 |
| Recreational runner | 1:50–2:10 | 8:24–9:55 |
| Trained runner | 1:30–1:50 | 6:52–8:24 |
| Competitive amateur | 1:15–1:30 | 5:44–6:52 |
| Elite | Under 1:05 | Under 4:58 |
Turn your goal time into a pace
Once you have a target half marathon time, the useful number is the pace you must hold for all 13.109 miles. Enter your distance and goal time into the pace calculator to get your exact pace per mile and per kilometre, plus a split table to pace the race. To sanity-check the metric-to-imperial maths on any distance, the distance converter handles it. For a structured build to the start line, explore Gritup for running.
Frequently asked
How many miles is a half marathon?
A half marathon is 13.109 miles, which is 21.0975 kilometres, exactly half the marathon distance of 26.219 miles. People usually round it to 13.1 miles, and the difference is only about 15 metres, so for training and racing you can treat them as the same.
Why is a half marathon 13.1 miles and not 13?
The half marathon is defined as half of the marathon's 42.195 kilometres, which is 21.0975 kilometres. Converted to miles that is 13.109, which rounds to 13.1. The odd number comes from the marathon distance itself, which was fixed at 42.195 km at the 1908 London Olympics.
How long does it take to run a half marathon?
Most first-time runners finish a half marathon in 2:15 to 2:45. A regular recreational runner lands around 1:50 to 2:10, a trained runner around 1:30 to 1:50, and competitive amateurs under 1:30. Elite men run it in about 58 to 60 minutes.
What pace do I need for a sub-2-hour half marathon?
A sub-2:00 half marathon needs an average pace of about 5:41 per kilometre or 9:09 per mile, held for all 13.109 miles. Use the pace calculator to turn any goal time into an exact per-mile and per-kilometre target with a full split table.
How many steps is a half marathon?
A half marathon is roughly 25,000 to 33,000 steps depending on your height and stride. Running strides are longer than walking strides, so taller runners take fewer steps. A stride of about 1 metre puts you near 21,000 steps for the 21.0975 kilometres.
From 13.1 miles to the finish line
Know the distance. Now train for it.
Gritup builds a week-by-week half marathon plan around your current fitness and goal time: easy runs, long runs, tempo work, and a taper that peaks you on race day.