If you are looking for the average finsih time for the London Marathon check out part 1here.
Breaking Down the 2024 London Marathon Data: Key Insights for Runners
The London Marathon is one of the most iconic races in the world, attracting elite athletes and everyday runners alike. For anyone who’s run a marathon, you know how important it is to learn from past experiences—and one of the best ways to do that is by analyzing data from previous races. I recently got my hands on the full 2024 London Marathon dataset and wanted to share some key insights to help runners better understand how different factors—like pacing, gender, and age—can influence performance.
If you’re training for a marathon or just curious about what the data tells us, stick around! In this post, we’ll dive into split times, average paces, age-related slowdowns, and much more.
Average Finishing Times: Where Do You Stand?
One of the first things I looked at was the average finish time. According to the data, the most common finishing time range was between 3 hours 45 minutes to 4 hours, which accounted for 11.2% of all runners. But don’t be put off by the average pace—London attracts a lot of seasoned runners, and while the distribution is fairly consistent, it’s important to remember that there’s a wide range of abilities on the course.
Interestingly, there was a noticeable increase in the number of runners finishing between 4 and 4.5 hours, which shows the psychological impact of aiming for specific times. Many runners target round numbers like 4 hours, so it makes sense that some end up slightly over that mark.
Splits: How Much Do Runners Slow Down?
The dreaded marathon slowdown—anyone who's run long distances knows that maintaining your pace through the second half is a real challenge. On average, London Marathon runners slowed down by 16 minutes between the first and second halves, which works out to about 12.5% slower.
When we break it down by gender, men actually slow down slightly more than women. However, both genders experience similar overall slowdown times, with the average being around 16 minutes in the second half.
Age and Performance: Does It Really Matter?
Age is always a hot topic in endurance sports—do you slow down as you get older? The short answer is yes, but it’s more nuanced than you might think. Runners between the ages of 18 and 39 tend to slow down the least, with their average slowdown hovering around 15.4 minutes. This group forms the bulk of marathon participants, and they’re generally able to maintain a steady pace throughout.
For those in the 40 to 49 age group, there’s only a slight uptick in slowdown, suggesting that experience and smart pacing come into play. It’s worth noting that this "golden generation" of marathon runners often knows how to train and manage their race-day strategy effectively.
However, after age 50, the slowdown becomes more pronounced. By the time we look at runners in their 60s, the average slowdown increases to about 18.5 minutes. And for those over 70, the numbers understandably jump higher, but it’s still impressive that runners in their 80s are completing the marathon at all!
Elite vs. Recreational Runners: How Do They Compare?
One of the most fascinating parts of the data is looking at how much runners slow down based on their overall finish times. As you’d expect, elite runners (those finishing in around 3 hours or less) tend to maintain a much more consistent pace, with only about a 2-5 minute difference between their first and second halves. These athletes have trained extensively to master their pacing and can avoid the dramatic slowdown that many of us experience.
Once we move beyond the 4-hour mark, though, the slowdown becomes more noticeable. For example, a runner finishing in 4 hours can expect to run their second half about 11 minutes slower than their first. That’s equivalent to roughly 30 seconds per mile slower. By the time you hit the 5-hour mark, the difference can be as much as one minute per mile slower in the second half.
However, it’s worth mentioning that even though the slowdown becomes more pronounced as finish times increase, there’s a certain consistency in how much time is added in the second half—usually about 3 to 4 minutes per finishing time category. This indicates that most runners experience similar patterns of fatigue, regardless of their finishing time.
Takeaways for Your Next Marathon
So, what does all this mean for you, the runner? Here are a few things to keep in mind as you train and prepare for your next marathon:
Expect a slowdown: It’s normal to slow down in the second half of the marathon. On average, runners lose about 12.5% of their pace in the second half, so aim to conserve some energy early on.
Your age matters, but so does experience: While it’s true that older runners tend to slow down more, experience plays a huge role. The 40 to 49 age group, for example, holds up very well compared to younger runners.
Set realistic pacing goals: If you’re targeting a specific finish time, be aware of the likely slowdown. For most runners finishing between 4 and 5 hours, expect to add 30 seconds to a minute per mile in the second half.
Psychology plays a role: The data shows an interesting spike in finishers just over 4 hours. The lesson? Sometimes, the mental battle is as important as the physical one.
As you train for your next marathon—whether it’s in London or elsewhere—use these insights to plan your pacing strategy, manage your energy, and prepare for the inevitable slowdown. And remember, every runner is different, so listen to your body, learn from your past races, and adjust your approach accordingly.
If you have any questions or would like to see more detailed stats, let me know in the comments. I’m always happy to dive deeper into the data to help you achieve your marathon goals!
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