What makes a good marathon time?

Congratulations on training for your first marathon! What counts as a "good" marathon time can vary widely depending on factors like age, gender, experience, and personal goals. However, there are some general benchmarks that can help you gauge your performance. For first-time marathoners, simply finishing the race is a huge achievement. Many beginners aim to complete the marathon in under 4 to 5 hours. A finish time around 4 hours (roughly 9-minute miles) is often considered a solid goal for recreational runners who have trained consistently. When it comes to age groups, marathon times tend to slow slightly as runners get older, but competitive times vary. For example: - **20-29 years:** A “good” time might be around 3:00 to 3:30 for men and 3:15 to 3:45 for women. - **30-39 years:** Similar to the 20s, but slight gradual slowing is common. - **40-49 years:** Many runners in this range aim for 3:15 to 3:45. - **50-59 years and beyond:** Finishing between 3:30 and 4:30 is often considered strong, depending on fitness. More experienced or competitive marathoners often finish under 3 hours (about 6:50/mile pace), which is a common qualifying time for prestigious races like the Boston Marathon for many age groups. Elite marathoners, meanwhile, finish around 2:05 to 2:15. Ultimately, a “good” marathon time is one that reflects your personal fitness, training, and goals. It’s important to focus on consistent training, pacing, and enjoying the experience. As you gain experience, you can set new time goals based on your progress and ambitions. If you want, I can also provide some pacing strategies or training tips to help you reach your target time!