The London Marathon 2024 has come to a close, and with over 53,000 participants completing the race, the data provides some fascinating insights. Whether you're a seasoned runner or preparing for your first marathon, these results offer a deeper understanding of performance trends, gender splits, age brackets, and pacing strategies. Let’s dive into the key takeaways from this year’s marathon results.
Gender Split and Participation
This year’s race saw 53,723 finishers, with a gender breakdown of 58% male and 42% female. Interestingly, despite the growing presence of female runners in events like Parkrun, the London Marathon still skews slightly more male. A small but notable .1% of participants registered as nonbinary, marking a continued shift toward inclusivity in endurance sports.
Average Finishing Times: How Did Runners Perform?
The average finishing time for the 2024 marathon was 4 hours and 28 minutes, which serves as a good benchmark for many runners. When broken down by gender, men averaged 4:12, while women clocked in at 4:49. These times offer valuable insight for those setting time goals for future races, especially the 2025 marathon.
For those concerned about being slower than average—fear not! Marathon times vary widely, with a large portion of finishers coming in well over 5 hours. In fact, over 14,000 runners finished in over 5 hours, nearly 5,000 runners took over 6 hours, and a significant number—1,000 participants—crossed the finish line in over 7 hours. So, regardless of your pace, you're never alone on the course.
Age Breakdown: The Influence of Age on Performance
One of the most fascinating insights from the data is how age impacts marathon performance. The largest percentage of finishers—48%—fell into the 18-39 age group, with participation gradually diminishing in older age brackets. Yet, what's truly inspiring is that 0.16% of runners were aged 75-79, and 21 participants were over 80 years old!
When analyzing performance by age, we see the expected trend: younger runners tend to post faster times. However, what’s surprising is that up to age 44, there's little change in finish times. After that, times increase steadily by less than 5 minutes every five years, until age 70, where the rate of slowdown begins to accelerate more dramatically.
Age Category | Average Time |
18-39 | 4 hrs 23 mins |
40-44 | 4 hrs 23 mins |
45-49 | 4 hrs 27 mins |
50-54 | 4 hrs 33 mins |
55-59 | 4 hrs 42 mins |
60-64 | 4 hrs 49 mins |
65-69 | 5 hrs 1 min |
70-74 | 5 hrs 14 mins |
75-79 | 5 hrs 49 mins |
80+ | 6 hrs 47 mins |
Pacing Strategies: First Half vs. Second Half
One of the biggest challenges for marathoners is pacing. The average marathon time was 4:28, meaning an even split would suggest running each half in about 2 hours 14 minutes.
However, the data reveals that most runners slowed significantly in the second half. On average, participants completed the first half in 2:06 and slowed to 2:22 for the second half—an average difference of 16 minutes.
For those training for their first marathon (or even their 100th!), this slowdown is crucial to recognize. The numbers show that even the most experienced runners lose about a minute per mile in the second half. So, if you find yourself slowing down during the latter part of the race, know that you’re not alone—it’s a common pattern across the board.
Looking Ahead to London Marathon 2025
Whether you're looking to improve your time or simply cross the finish line, the insights from the 2024 London Marathon can help guide your training strategy for next year. Understanding how age, gender, and pacing affect performance will give you a clearer idea of what to expect. And, as always, the goal is to enjoy the race—no matter your time.
If you’re preparing for the London Marathon 2025, be sure to stay tuned for Part 2 of my analysis, where I’ll dive deeper into pacing strategies by age and how much runners slow down in the second half. Subscribe to my YouTube channel for more insights, tips, and data to help you prepare for your next marathon.
Final Thoughts
The London Marathon is more than just a race—it's a testament to human endurance, determination, and community. Whether you're a seasoned runner chasing a personal best or someone embarking on your first marathon journey, the data from this year’s race provides valuable insights to inform your training and race-day strategy.
What was your experience with the London Marathon 2024? Share your thoughts in the comments below, and don’t forget to subscribe to my channel for more marathon-related content!
Have you got a marathon coming up? Grab a free copy of our Marathon Preparation Checklist here.
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