What’s a Good Half-Marathon Time? A Human-First Guide

If you’ve been wondering what a “good” half-marathon time is, you’re not alone. This is one of the most searched questions in running because it sits right at the intersection of curiosity and comparison. It’s normal to want a benchmark. It’s also normal to wonder whether your time is “fast enough,” “respectable,” or “worth being proud of.”

A good half-marathon time (13.1 miles) depends on your experience, age, and training, but here are the simple benchmarks most runners are looking for:

• Average finishers: about 2 hours 15 minutes (2:15) overall

• Many men average: around 2 hours (2:00)

• Many women average: around 2 hours 15 minutes (2:15)

• Common goal: breaking 2 hours (sub-2:00)

• Elite/world-class: roughly under 1 hour 10 minutes (1:10)

At Microcosm Coaching, we see this question a little differently. A good half-marathon time isn’t a single number that applies to everyone. It’s a reflection of your training background, your life stress, your health, your course conditions, and your goals. In other words, it’s about the whole human, not just the athlete.

This article will give you practical benchmarks and a way to “define your good” so you can chase improvement without losing joy in the process.

Start Here: Define What “Good” Means for You

Before we talk numbers, let’s get something straight: “good” is relative, and that’s not a cop-out—it’s reality.

A good half-marathon time for a runner training consistently for six months is different than a good time for someone squeezing training between long workdays, caregiving, or a stressful season of life. A good time for a first half is different than a good time for someone who’s already run ten of them. A good time on a flat course in perfect weather is different than a good time on a rolling course in heat, wind, or rain.

So instead of starting with someone else’s result, start with your context. Here’s a calm framework we use with athletes:

Define your good across three levels:

• Good for today: What’s realistic based on your current training and life load?
• Good for this season: What would represent meaningful progress by the end of this training block?
• Good long-term: What kind of runner (and human) are you becoming through the process?

When you define “good” this way, your time becomes information—not a verdict.

The Big Benchmarks: Typical Half-Marathon Times

Now, let’s get into the benchmarks people are actually looking for.

You’ll see a lot of “average” numbers, but averages vary depending on the dataset and the population being measured. Some sources include only larger races. Some include more competitive runners. Some include a broader pool of finishers with a wide range of experience.

That said, a common, practical way to think about it is this: many half-marathon finish times cluster somewhere between about 1:50 and 2:20, with a lot of runners aiming for goals like finishing strong, breaking 2:15, or breaking 2:00.

For many runners, 2:00 becomes a milestone because it’s simple, motivating, and feels like a line in the sand. But it’s not the only meaningful goal—and it’s not the “minimum” for being taken seriously. Plenty of strong, dedicated athletes run 2:10, 2:20, or 2:30 and are building real fitness, resilience, and endurance.

At the sharp end of the sport, elite half-marathoners run under 1:10, but that’s a different universe of training volume, genetics, and lifestyle. It’s useful to know those numbers exist, but most runners don’t need to measure themselves against that standard to be proud of their own progress.

“Good for Your Age” Without the Comparison Spiral

Age-group context can be helpful—if you use it with the right mindset.

Physiology changes over time, and what’s “good” at 25 will not look identical at 45 or 65. And that’s not something to fight. It’s something to work with. When we coach athletes across age groups, the goal is never to freeze time. The goal is to build the strongest, healthiest, most resilient version of you right now.

Age-group benchmarks are best used as a rough reference for setting expectations, not a tool for judging your worth. If you find yourself obsessing over “should” statements—“I should be faster for my age”—that’s a sign to zoom out.

A healthier question is: What does progress look like in my body, in my life, at this moment? That’s where sustainable motivation lives.

Percentiles: “Where Do I Rank?” (And When to Avoid That Question)

It’s tempting to ask, “What percentile is my time?” because it feels like instant clarity. The problem is that percentiles can either support your training—or hijack it.

Percentiles can be useful when you’re trying to set realistic goals. If you’re a newer runner and you’re aiming for a big jump, a percentile lens can help you pick a goal that stretches you without breaking you.

Percentiles become harmful when they start replacing self-awareness. They don’t account for your course, your weather, your training history, your injury background, or your current stress level. They also don’t measure the quality of your race execution, your pacing discipline, or your ability to recover and keep building.

If percentiles motivate you, use them lightly. If they trigger comparison and shame, let them go. You don’t need them to become a better runner.

What’s a Good Half-Marathon Time for Beginners?

If this is your first half-marathon, here’s the truth: finishing is a win, especially if you’re doing it in a way that respects your body and keeps you excited to run again.

Many beginners finish somewhere between about 2:15 and 2:45, depending on their starting point, training consistency, and whether they have a background in other endurance sports. Some finish under 2:00. Some finish closer to 3:00. All of those outcomes can be “good” when they’re anchored in effort, learning, and a positive experience.

Is 2.5 hours a good half-marathon time?

Yes. Especially for a first half-marathon, 2:30 is a strong, meaningful finish time for a lot of runners. If you trained consistently, managed your pacing, and made it to the line with something left to give, that’s not just good—it’s a foundation you can build on.

A better beginner goal than “a time” is often race execution:

• Did you start controlled?
• Did you keep your effort steady?
• Did you fuel and hydrate?
• Did you finish proud, not broken?

That’s what creates long-term progress.

What Affects Your Half-Marathon Time More Than “Talent”

Most runners assume speed is about talent. In reality, half-marathon performance is often a story of consistency and execution. Here are the big drivers:

Training consistency over months

One great workout won’t change your half-marathon time. Eight to twelve weeks of consistent, mostly easy running absolutely will. This is where most improvement comes from: stacking weeks, not chasing hero sessions.

Aerobic base

The half-marathon is an endurance event. Your aerobic system is the engine. At Microcosm, we emphasize that most athletes should spend the majority of training at low intensity to build aerobic capacity, durability, and efficiency. Speed matters, but it sits on top of the base.

Course and conditions

Hills, wind, heat, altitude, turns, crowded starts—these all impact time. Two runners with identical fitness can run very different times based on the course and the day.

Pacing strategy

The most common half-marathon mistake is going out too fast. The first few miles should feel controlled—almost too easy. If you’re racing well, you earn the right to push later. Many runners invert this and spend the second half surviving.

Fueling and hydration

You can be fit and still fall apart if you under-fuel. The half-marathon is long enough for energy mistakes to matter, especially if you’re pushing hard or racing in warm conditions. Learning your fueling strategy is one of the biggest upgrades you can make.

How to Set a Realistic Goal Time (Without Guessing)

If you’ve never raced a half-marathon or are trying to set a new goal, avoid picking a number based on intuition. Instead, use a simple “confidence ladder”:

• C Goal: Finish strong and learn.
• B Goal: A realistic time based on training indicators.
• A Goal: A stretch outcome if everything clicks.

Your B goal should be supported by your current fitness. That fitness shows up in training indicators like:

• How your long runs feel and whether you recover well

• Whether you can run steadily at a moderately challenging effort without fading

• Whether your weekly volume has been consistent

• Whether you’ve practiced fueling and pacing

A good coach can help translate these indicators into a race plan that matches your current reality and sets you up to succeed.

What “Good” Looks Like on Race Day

We love times. We also love execution.

A “good” half-marathon often looks like this:

• You start controlled, even if others sprint past you.
• You stay present through the middle miles, when focus matters.
• You manage discomfort without panic.
• You finish knowing you raced your race—smart, brave, and committed.

A good race isn’t always a PR. Sometimes a good race is the one where you showed up, adapted to the day, and walked away healthier and more confident than you started.

If You Want to Run a Faster Half, Here’s the Sustainable Path

If your goal is to improve your half-marathon time, the pathway is surprisingly simple—but not always easy.

• Build your aerobic base with consistent, easy running.
• Add one quality session at a time, not three.
• Strength train to support durability and form.
• Respect recovery like it’s part of training—because it is.

Progress comes from repeating the basics with patience. The athletes who improve year after year aren’t the ones who do the most. They’re the ones who do the right amount consistently and keep showing up.

A Short Microcosm Coaching Note

If you’re trying to define what “good” means for you—and you want support building a plan that fits your life—Microcosm Coaching is here.

We’re a human-first coaching team for runners and endurance athletes who want long-term growth, smart training, and real support. With individualized plans, daily check-ins, and a community of like-minded athletes, you don’t have to figure it all out alone.

Whether you’re chasing your first finish, a sub-2 milestone, or a confident PR, we’ll help you build toward it with clarity, patience, and joy.

FAQs: What’s a Good Half-Marathon Time?

What is a decent half-marathon time?

A decent time is one that reflects your training and lets you finish feeling proud. For many runners, a common “decent” range is roughly 1:50–2:20, but it varies widely by experience and context.

Is 2.5 hours for a half-marathon good?

Yes—especially for beginners, busy athletes, or anyone prioritizing completion and strong pacing. A 2:30 half-marathon is a meaningful achievement and a great foundation to improve from.

Is 2 hours a good half-marathon time?

Yes. Sub-2 is a popular goal and typically reflects solid aerobic fitness, pacing discipline, and consistent training. It’s a great milestone—but not the only one that matters.

What’s a good half-marathon time for a beginner?

A good beginner goal is finishing strong and learning the event. Many beginners land in the 2:15–2:45 range, but “good” depends on your background and consistency.

What pace is a 2-hour half-marathon?

A 2-hour half-marathon requires roughly a 9:09 per mile pace (or about 5:41 per kilometer).

How do I set a goal time if I’ve never raced a half?

Use training indicators and set A/B/C goals. Prioritize pacing and execution over chasing a number you haven’t earned yet.

What is the 10-10-10 rule for marathons, and does it apply to the half?

The 10-10-10 rule is usually discussed for marathon pacing strategy. The half-marathon has similar principles—start controlled, stay steady, finish strong—but pacing should be tailored to the shorter distance and your fitness.

How long does it take to improve your half-marathon time?

Many runners see improvement over 8–16 weeks with consistent training. Bigger breakthroughs typically come from stacked seasons of aerobic base and smart progression.