Full Marathon Training Plan
A comprehensive 16-week plan to prepare you for 26.2 miles. For experienced runners who have completed a half marathon.
Overview
The marathon is the ultimate distance running challenge — 42.2 km (26.2 miles) of physical and mental endurance. This 16-week plan will get you to the finish line.
Prerequisites: You should have completed a half marathon (or be able to run 18+ km comfortably) before starting this plan.
What is cross-training? Any exercise that isn't running but still builds your fitness — like swimming, cycling, yoga, or even a brisk walk. It gives your body a break from impact while keeping you active. Read our full Cross-Training Guide.
Speed work in this plan: You'll see strides (short 20–30 second accelerations at fast but controlled effort), fast intervals (hard bursts with jog recovery), and tempo runs (sustained "comfortably hard" pace). New to these? Read our Interval & Tempo Training guide.
The rest of this plan is for supporters
You’ve read the overview. The full Advanced programme — the week-by-week schedule, the sessions, the progressions and the numbers — unlocks with an access code, from £0.67 a month. Every Beginner and Intermediate guide on the site stays free.