Because this number changes how you view a marathon. It stops being a scary, impossible mountain and becomes a Monday-morning challenge you could actually train for.
Let’s do a quick comparison. A 4-hour and 30-minute marathon means you’re running a pace of about 10 minutes per mile. Sound familiar? That’s the pace of a brisk power walk or a gentle jog while talking to a friend.
You probably already walk that fast when you’re late for a meeting or chasing the ice cream van. The difference is just that you keep it up for 26.2 miles. It’s like walking to the shops, but the shop is in another city.
The “That Guy” Factor
You know that guy at work who runs the London Marathon? He’s not a superhero. He’s the same person who forgets his lunch and complains about the weather. He just decided to be slightly uncomfortable for four hours.
And here’s the comforting truth: the average time includes everyone—the fancy-dressed runner in a rhino costume, the first-timer who stops for a wee in a bush, and the elite athlete who barely breaks a sweat.
So, the average is a big, warm hug for the non-elite. It tells you that if you can commit to training, you will almost certainly finish within that bracket. You won’t be last.
Visualising London Marathon Strava Data
