Sub-1:30 half marathon: VO2max 51
Running a sub-1:30 half marathon takes a running VO2max (VDOT) of about 51.0 and an even pace of 4:16/km (6:52/mile).
Even-pace splits
| Distance | Split |
|---|---|
| 5 km | 21:20 |
| 10 km | 42:40 |
| 15 km | 1:03:59 |
| 20 km | 1:25:19 |
| Half marathon | 1:30:00 |
Training paces for this goal
| Pace | Per km |
|---|---|
| Easy | 5:02–5:33 |
| Marathon | 4:27 |
| Threshold | 4:11 |
| Interval (VO2max) | 3:52 |
| Repetition | 3:38 |
Use these for easy runs, tempo runs and VO2max intervals. A key session for this goal: 3 × 3 km at threshold pace (4:11/km) and a 16–20 km long run.
Equivalent race times
| 5K | 10K | Half marathon | Marathon |
|---|---|---|---|
| 19:36 | 40:39 | 1:30:00 | 3:07:35 |
If you can already run these, the goal is within reach once you are trained for the distance. Marathon equivalents are optimistic for most runners — endurance, fuelling and pacing matter as much as VO2max (see marathon training and VO2max).
What a VO2max of 51 means for your age: is a VO2max of 51 good?
Training plan
Follow a structured plan: Half marathon training plan, with a taper in the last 1–2 weeks.
Frequently asked questions
What VO2max do you need for a sub-1:30 half marathon?
About 51.0 ml/kg/min of running VO2max (VDOT) if you are fully trained for the distance. Watch VO2max estimates often read a few points differently from VDOT.
What pace is a sub-1:30 half marathon?
4:16 per km or 6:52 per mile, run evenly.
What 5K time matches a sub-1:30 half marathon?
About 19:36 on the same VDOT model.
Is a sub-1:30 half marathon good?
A VO2max of 51 is rated "excellent" for men in their 30s and "superior" for women in their 30s on Cooper Institute norms.
Other half marathon goals: Sub-2:30 · Sub-2 · Sub-1:50 · Sub-1:45 · Sub-1:40 · Sub-1:20 · Half marathon pace chart
Sources
- Daniels J, Gilbert J. Oxygen Power: Performance Tables for Distance Runners, 1979 (VDOT model).
- Daniels J. Daniels' Running Formula. Human Kinetics.
Model estimates for a runner trained for the distance; heat, hills, course and pacing change real results.