The Marathon Challenge

This worksheet is designed for students in Grades 5 and 6 to apply speed, distance, and time relationships through realistic marathon training and race scenarios. By calculating average speed, running pace, total distance, and completion time using metric units, learners practice multi-step problem solving, unit conversion, and proportional reasoning while connecting mathematics to athletics and physical activity.

Learning Goals

• Speed-Distance-Time Relationships (Gr. 5-6): Solve problems involving distance, speed, and time in running contexts.
• Pace & Average Speed Calculations: Interpret and compute pace times and average speeds accurately.
• Metric Unit Conversion: Convert between kilometers, meters, and hours within multi-step problems.
• Proportional Reasoning: Understand how changes in speed affect time and performance outcomes.

Instructional Benefits

• Teacher-Created Resource: Designed by educators to align with upper elementary math, science, and physical education standards.
• Sports-Based Engagement: Marathon theme motivates learners and makes abstract concepts concrete.
• Multi-Step Reasoning Practice: Encourages careful sequencing, accuracy, and explanation of thinking.
• Flexible Use: Ideal for math centers, independent practice, small groups, enrichment, homework, or homeschool instruction.

This Marathon Challenge worksheet helps students strengthen confidence with rate-based reasoning by applying formulas to meaningful athletic scenarios. By working through realistic pacing and distance problems, learners improve accuracy, problem-solving skills, and understanding of motion concepts. Whether used in the classroom or a homeschool setting, this printable provides engaging, no-prep practice that supports mastery of speed, distance, and time relationships.

This worksheet is part of our Speed, Distance, and Time collection.