What's a reasonable time for a half marathon?

If you're after a time that looks quite credible, then anything under 2 hours will do the job.

2:17 for a woman is toward the lower end of average, but still respectable. I ran my first half in May and finished in 2:42--but the weather was lousy (warm and humid) and I had an upset stomach. I was hoping for 2:30. Maybe next time.

If it's your first one, I'd recommend that your goal be to finish strong and uninjured. No matter what your time is, it'll be a PR for you :-) I know I learned a lot after running in May, so for my next half (either November or April next year), I'll be better prepared, and maybe I'll improve my time. If you want to set a goal time, that's great, but don't let yourself get discouraged if you don't meet it--and don't push yourself so hard training to meet it that you hurt yourself!

My last half marathon time was 2:17, and it was a PR from the four I've done in the past two years, I didn't train much for it, and it REALLY hurt to keep that 10:30 pace....but I was proud to be on the "lower" end of average hahaha...there definitely is a school of thought among some runners that certain people shouldn't be running races, especially marathons and half marathons unless they complete it under a certain amount of time. They think that it weakens the integrity of their sport to have someone finish a marathon in anything more than say 4 hours, for example. Or to have someone say they "ran" a marathon in 6 hours, I guess they think that that same person probably walked a lot of it and isn't being honest. I finished my first last year in 5:31:31 (almost the same as Katie Holmes's time in the NYC marathon haha) and was glad I finished, and yeah, I walked in some parts....I don't call myself a runner though. I just don't feel like I fit into that club, if I run, I run alone....people are too competitive when I listen to them talk while waiting for races to start. Everyone's reason for running is personal, some join groups and others don't. The great thing about running is that no matter how exclusive people want to make it, everyone who is able bodied can do it. It doesn't require any special equipment, and that's what our bodies are born to do, run and walk. There is always someone who is faster than me, faster than them, and always someone will be slower than me, and slower than them. Don't let anyone dissuade you from running, you finish when you finish! But don't get me wrong, I have the utmost respect for the elite runners who win marathons, THEY are truly amazing.

For any race you are doing for the first time, ESPECIALLY a half marathon, the goal should be to finish. Get through training injury free and finishing the race is exactly what you should be doing whether it takes you an hour or three. I ran a marathon first (had done 5ks and 10ks) and finished in 4:57. The plan was to run with the 5:15 pace group but I lost them at the beginning and just did what felt good for me. That was 4 years ago and I plan on doing another one next May. After the marathon, I did a half and finished in 2:09. I plan to do another in November and would be over the wall if I could break 2 hours, but anything better will be taken!

Just do your best!

~Life's a journey, enjoy the run~

~The Miracle isn't that I finished, the Miracle is that I had the courage to start~

Hello,
I agree, your real goal for your 1st half is to finish it:) My goal was 3 hours, my time is below on my signature. I think 2:16. I forget:)
I was very proud of that. Running 1 mile at a certain pace is one thing, trying to run 13.1 at that same pace may be a bit harder for most:) Be happy no matter what your time, and know that your first time is your PR:)

finishing the race in however long it takes is the perfect time. You're competing against yourself, not anyone else.

...there definitely is a school of thought among some runners that certain people shouldn't be running races, especially marathons and half marathons unless they complete it under a certain amount of time. They think that it weakens the integrity of their sport to have someone finish a marathon in anything more than say 4 hours, for example.

I don't think I fully agree with this. A lot of the people who qualify for Boston do a walk/run split. True runners won't care if others do a walk/run combination. Othen, when you come across people who think like above, it is because they are new runner's themselves and think that to be a runner you can only run. There are a lot of people who practice the Galloway running method.

I finished 2:07 hours. Doesn't matter how long it takes you, though, everyone has their own pace. Do your thing.

So I agree with checking the race time predictor on Runners World that will give you a good idea of what time you can expect. The other thing you should do is look at the races you are interested in and find out how ling the course is open.

I run the BAA half (run by the same org as the Boston marathon). It clearly states on the website that the course closes in 2 hours and 30 minutes. This is not exactly true, but it's to discourge walkers. The BAA half was my first half so I followed a plan to get under 2:30 and ran it in 2:22 feeling strong. My current pr is 2:11:46 and I'm working on breaking 2 for the next baa half.

I know plenty of sub 2:15\2:30 run\walkers. Don't let anyone tell you, you have to run to be fast. Besides finishing the race, there's nothing more satisfying than passing the pace groups as I'm doing my run\walk intervals.

Run your race, not anyone else's....

I know plenty of sub 2:15\2:30 run\walkers.

Half marathon, right?

I know plenty of sub 2:15\2:30 run\walkers.

Half marathon, right?

Yep.

I know plenty of sub 2:15\2:30 run\walkers.

Half marathon, right?

Yep.

Then, yes, I'm sure there are. Perfectly acceptable way to complete a HM if that is what you need to do.

Or want to do. At this point, I have no desire to run an entire half. :-) I've gotten a lot faster than I thought I would using interval training and I think I'll stick to it.