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Run Training Paces Calculator

Run training Paces calculator: get personalized Easy, Tempo, Threshold, Interval, and Repetition training paces from a recent race time using the Daniels VDOT.

Your numbers

Start from an example

Units
Race distance
Finish time

A recent race or all-out time trial. Type it as 22:30 or 1:40:00.

Result

Easy pace
6:03–7:14 /km
VDOT
38.3
Marathon Pace pace
5:38 /km
Threshold pace
5:16 /km
Interval pace
4:45 /km
Repetition pace
4:24 /km

Pace by training zone

Seconds per kilometre: shorter bars are faster.

E — Easy / Long Run
Conversational pace for aerobic base and recovery. Use for most training volume.
6:33 /km
M — Marathon Pace
Your predicted marathon race pace. Race-specific runs for marathon training.
5:38 /km
T — Threshold / Tempo
Comfortably hard: about the pace you could race for an hour. Improves lactate threshold. Max 20 min continuous.
5:16 /km
I — Interval / VO₂max
Hard 3–5 min repeats near VO₂max. Builds aerobic power. Typical rep: 800m–1200m.
4:45 /km
R — Repetition / Speed
Short fast reps (200m–400m) with full recovery. Develops economy and speed.
4:24 /km

Equivalent race times

1,500m6:514:34 /km
1 Mile7:244:36 /km
5K25:005:00 /km
10K51:535:11 /km
Half Marathon1:55:035:27 /km
Marathon3:57:555:38 /km

Education, not medical advice. The result comes only from the published formula and your inputs. How we check our formulas.

Questions people usually ask

What is VDOT?

VDOT is a performance-based aerobic fitness index developed by Jack Daniels. It reflects your effective VO2max from race performance — a higher VDOT means faster potential across all distances.

Which formula is used?

The calculator uses the Daniels & Gilbert (1979) VDOT methodology from 'Daniels' Running Formula'. It derives training paces from the oxygen cost of running at your race velocity.

What training zone should I use for most of my runs?

Zone E (Easy). Most of a distance runner's weekly volume belongs at easy pace, and most runners run their easy days too fast, which limits recovery and the aerobic work those runs are for.

How current does my race time need to be?

Ideally within the last 8–12 weeks and from a well-paced effort. A hard time trial works too. Results from a poorly-paced race or extreme conditions may not reflect your true fitness.

Is this tool free and private to use?

Yes. AI Fit Hub tools are free, no-signup browser tools. Inputs stay in your browser unless you choose to share a URL.

Do these paces replace a coach's plan?

No. These are evidence-based starting points. A qualified running coach can adjust for your training history, injury risk, and race goals.

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Background on the Run Training Paces Calculator

All resources
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Use it from an agent or code

Any agent can run this calculator by URL: put the inputs in the query string and get JSON back, with the inputs that used defaults and a line to cite (add format=md for markdown). MCP clients reach it through https://aifithub.io/mcp.

https://aifithub.io/api/run/run-training-paces-calculator?distance=5k&race_time_minutes=25&race_time_seconds=0

In code, import the same module; it runs where you import it, with no request or key.

import { compute } from "https://aifithub.io/engines/run-training-paces-calculator.js";

Input and output contract, TypeScript types and the guide for agents.