A marathon finish time varies widely, but practical references give a good sense of typical ranges for non-elite runners. Key points

• Global averages: Recreational runners commonly finish a marathon in roughly 4 hours to 4.5 hours. For many casual runners, finishing under 5 hours is a common goal, while staying around 4:20–4:40 is typical for a broad recreational population.

• By gender: Averages tend to be around 4:14 for men and higher for women, with women often finishing a bit slower on average in broad, mixed populations. Elite and sub-elite finish times are far faster, of course.

• Pace perspective: An average marathon pace around 6:15 per kilometer (about 10:02 per mile) corresponds to roughly a 4:21 finish for a marathon, though individual times vary by course and preparation.

How to think about your own speed

• If training is consistent and you build endurance, a target under 4:30 is achievable for many recreational runners with proper plan and taper. Pacing charts and realistic goal times often help translate training runs into a marathon pace.

• Your personal pace depends on experience, fitness, and race-day conditions (course difficulty, weather, nutrition). Looking at recent race results in your age group and ability level can provide a realistic benchmark.

If you’d like, share your current 5K or 10K times, training duration, and any target race date, and a personalized rough finish-time range and pacing plan can be sketched.