Pacing Profiles in Half-Marathon and Marathon Running Based on Performance Level, Sex, and Age: A Narrative Review

Background and Objectives: Pacing behavior has been consistently associated with performance in long-distance running, yet its patterns across different race distances and population subgroups remain insufficiently understood. Therefore, this narrative review synthesizes and critically discusses available evidence on pacing in half-marathon and marathon running, considering both within- and between-race differences, with a particular focus on performance level, sex, and age. Materials and Methods: A structured, non-systematic search was conducted in PubMed, SPORTDiscus, Scopus, and Web of Science, with Google Scholar used as a supplementary source. Peer-reviewed English-language full-text studies reporting pacing-related outcomes were included, and findings from 37 studies published up to March 2026 were synthesized narratively. Results: Available observational evidence suggests differences in pacing profiles between race distances, with generally more even pacing in the half-marathon and more positive pacing in the marathon. Performance level showed the strongest association with pacing behavior: faster runners exhibited more stable pacing patterns, whereas slower runners showed greater variability and a more pronounced pace decline. Sex differences appeared more evident in marathon running, where women generally demonstrated more even pacing than men, whereas age-related differences were small and inconsistent. Comparisons between race distances suggest that pacing variability may increase with longer race duration and lower performance level. Conclusions: Overall, performance level showed the most consistent relationship with pacing behavior in long-distance running. In mass-participation events, observed pacing profiles may reflect fatigue-related changes and inaccurate pace selection rather than a deliberate strategy. More even or slightly negative pacing has generally been associated with more favorable performance outcomes, but this should be interpreted as an observed association rather than a direct prescriptive recommendation. The proposed practical reference points should be viewed as tentative, evidence-informed aids for interpreting pacing behavior according to performance level and race distance, while using sex and age as secondary contextual factors.