1. What is the 100 Mile Pace Calculator?

The 100 Mile Pace Calculator helps ultra-runners determine their required pace to complete a 100-mile race within a target time. It calculates the average minutes per mile needed to achieve your goal.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the simple pace formula:

Where:

• \( P \) — Pace (minutes per mile)
• \( T \) — Total time (in minutes)
• \( D \) — Distance (in miles)

Explanation: The equation divides your total available time by the race distance to determine the average pace you need to maintain.

3. Importance of Pace Calculation

Details: For ultra-distance races like 100 miles, proper pacing is critical to avoid burnout and ensure completion. This calculator helps runners plan their race strategy and aid station timing.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter your target finish time in hours and minutes, and the race distance (default is 100 miles). The calculator will show the required average pace per mile.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Should I maintain this exact pace throughout the race?
A: No, this is an average. Most runners vary their pace based on terrain, with slower paces on climbs and faster on descents.

Q2: How does this differ from marathon pacing?
A: 100-mile pacing is significantly slower and must account for walking breaks, nutrition stops, and nighttime running.

Q3: What's a good target time for a first 100-miler?
A: For first-timers, 24-30 hours is common, with elite runners completing in under 15 hours.

Q4: Should I include rest time in my calculations?
A: Yes, your total time should include estimated stops at aid stations for eating, changing, etc.

Q5: How accurate is this for trail vs road races?
A: Trail races with significant elevation gain will require slower actual paces than calculated due to terrain difficulty.