With fall marathon season just around the corner, runners everywhere are asking the same question: what’s a good marathon time?
To find out, we pulled results from Canada’s three biggest marathons–the 2024 Toronto Waterfront Marathon, 2025 BMO Vancouver Marathon and 2025 Tartan Ottawa International Marathon–and calculate the average of the fastest, slowest and median times in each age division.
The result: a look at how Canadian marathoners–from newbie 20-somethings to seasoned 70-plus veterans–stack up on race day. So, whether you’re looking to set expectations for your first race or see where your past performances stand, we’ve got you covered. And yes–these averages include elite times, so keep that in mind before comparing to your personal best.
Women’s marathon times (fastest vs. average)
Age Group
Fastest
Average
F18-24
2:33:05
4:32:23
F25-29
2:21:26
4:24:04
F30-34
2:20:44
4:27:24
F35-39
2:28:09
4:25:09
F40-44
2:27:54
4:36:35
F45-49
2:48:45
4:41:02
F50-54
3:11:58
4:45:16
F55-59
3:17:04
4:45:34
F60-64
3:36:30
4:58:31
F65-69
3:49:58
4:56:52
F70-74
4:29:59
5:27:16
Men’s marathon times (fastest vs. average)
Age Group
Fastest
Average
M18-24
2:10:39
4:15:59
M25-29
2:07:16
4:17:11
M30-34
2:07:31
4:15:03
M34-39
2:18:00
4:18:45
M40-44
2:14:34
4:24:24
M45-49
2:25:09
4:20:59
M50-54
2:43:19
4:29:44
M55-59
2:43:55
4:34:11
M60-64
3:06:51
4:37:21
M65-69
3:14:30
4:49:44
M70-74
3:38:06
5:09:52
If you’re close to the average finish time for your age group, you’re already performing well over 42.2K. Remember–the individuals running the top times (and therefore dragging the average down) live and breathe marathon training.
Eyeing a sub-3? For most, that’s an elite benchmark reached only by those with years of dedicated, high-volume training. Even hitting four hours puts you well ahead of the pack in every age category; most group averages fall between four hours, 15 minutes and five hours (with the exception of the 70+ division).
Interestingly, the averages don’t swing as much between age groups as you might expect. So whether you’re at the younger or older end of your bracket, it’s not going to dramatically change how you stack up–and yes, you’ll still have competition waiting when you age up.
Chances are, you’re capable of more than you think. How much faster you get comes down to training consistency, coaching, fuelling, sleep, recovery and how much you’re willing (or able) to invest in those areas. Just know that improvements take time–nobody drops two hours between their first and second marathon.
We know you’re competitive, but don’t let these stats shake your confidence–or get to your head. Keep focusing on consistent training, fuelling and recovery–and you’ll show up ready to run your best on race day.
