Sub-1:50 half marathon: VO2max 40
Running a sub-1:50 half marathon takes a running VO2max (VDOT) of about 40.4 and an even pace of 5:13/km (8:23/mile).
Even-pace splits
| Distance | Split |
|---|---|
| 5 km | 26:04 |
| 10 km | 52:08 |
| 15 km | 1:18:12 |
| 20 km | 1:44:17 |
| Half marathon | 1:50:00 |
Training paces for this goal
| Pace | Per km |
|---|---|
| Easy | 6:04–6:41 |
| Marathon | 5:24 |
| Threshold | 5:03 |
| Interval (VO2max) | 4:40 |
| Repetition | 4:23 |
Use these for easy runs, tempo runs and VO2max intervals. A key session for this goal: 3 × 3 km at threshold pace (5:03/km) and a 16–20 km long run.
Equivalent race times
| 5K | 10K | Half marathon | Marathon |
|---|---|---|---|
| 23:55 | 49:37 | 1:50:00 | 3:47:50 |
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 40 means for your age: is a VO2max of 40 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-1:50 half marathon?
About 40.4 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-1:50 half marathon?
5:13 per km or 8:23 per mile, run evenly.
What 5K time matches a sub-1:50 half marathon?
About 23:55 on the same VDOT model.
Is a sub-1:50 half marathon good?
A VO2max of 40 is rated "poor" for men in their 30s and "good" for women in their 30s on Cooper Institute norms.
Other half marathon goals: Sub-2:30 · Sub-2 · Sub-1:45 · Sub-1:40 · Sub-1:30 · 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.