What is a good half marathon time?
A good half marathon time is under 2 hours for men and under 2:15 for women. Intermediate amateurs typically run 1:45-2:00 (men) and 2:00-2:15 (women). Sub-1:30 is a major competitive benchmark for men; sub-1:45 for women.
The half marathon is the sweet spot between speed and endurance, and it's where most recreational runners peak. For men: 2:15+ is typical for beginners, 1:55-2:15 average, 1:45-1:55 solid amateur, sub-1:45 strong recreational, sub-1:30 competitive amateur, and sub-1:20 serious club level. For women: 2:25+ beginner, 2:05-2:25 average, 1:55-2:05 solid, sub-1:50 strong, sub-1:40 competitive, sub-1:30 serious. The 2-hour mark is psychologically significant for men and represents roughly 5:40/km pace — the threshold between casual running and dedicated training. For women, the 2:15 mark carries similar weight at roughly 6:24/km. Reaching these goals typically requires 12-16 weeks of structured training with 40-50 km weekly volume, one long run of 18-22 km, and one tempo session per week. Sub-1:30 (for men) and sub-1:45 (for women) require 55-70 km per week with speed work. Age-grading matters: a 1:45 at age 45 is equivalent to roughly 1:35 at age 25. The half is an honest mirror of your fitness — you can't fake it with single big workouts.