Elevation-Adjusted Pace Calculator
Calculate your grade-adjusted pace for hilly courses using elevation gain and loss data. Based on physiological cost of running uphill and downhill.
Inputs
Results
Adjusted Pace
8:36
How to Use This Calculator
- Enter your Flat Pace in minutes and seconds per mile.
- Set the Course Distance in miles and the Total Elevation Gain and Loss in feet.
- Review the Adjusted Pace to see how much slower your effective pace will be on a hilly course.
- Check the Time Difference to estimate how much additional time the elevation adds.
- Use Average Grade and Gain per Mile to understand course difficulty.
What each input means
- Flat Pace Minutes
- Minutes portion of your pace per mile on flat ground. This is your baseline fitness pace.
- Flat Pace Seconds
- Seconds portion of your flat pace per mile.
- Course Distance
- Total distance of the course in miles. Half marathon = 13.1, marathon = 26.2.
- Total Elevation Gain
- Total cumulative climbing over the course in feet. Check your GPS data or race course profile.
- Total Elevation Loss
- Total cumulative descent over the course in feet. For a loop course, this roughly equals elevation gain.
How this is calculated
Worked example, using the default values
- Identify Input Parameters4 parametersFlat Pace Minutes = 8, Flat Pace Seconds = 30, Course Distance = 13.1, Total Elevation Gain = 1500 = 5 input(s) provided
- Calculate Adjusted PaceAdjusted Pace = formatPace(max(adjustedPace8:36 = 8:36
- Calculate Flat PaceFlat Pace = formatPace(flatPace)8:30 = 8:30
- Calculate Pace AdjustmentPace Adjustment6 = 6
Engine last updated . Checked against 1 independently-derived test — how we verify calculators.
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