Running a half-marathon distance—13.1 miles—is an incredible achievement for any runner. And if you can easily run a 10K distance, your next big goal might be completing a half marathon.
But of course, when you sign up to run a half marathon, you’re also signing up to put in the work to run more than double the distance of the 6.2 miles in the 10K. It will require safely building up to a higher weekly mileage, longer runs, and a greater variety of runs—fartleks, tempos, and interval runs, to name a few—to develop the endurance and speed you’ll need to complete the 13.1 distance.
Whether you’re building up to 13.1 miles for the first time, or planning to smash your PR, we’ve got some plans that will help you finish strong and healthy. (Find all our training plans here, and check out some of our most popular plans below.)
Popular Half Marathon Training Plans
Need more convincing that the half-marathon distance is absolutely the best? The 13 reasons below (as shown by Gifs), will make you want to sign up for a half ASAP.
There are more than 2,000 half marathons to choose from across the U.S., compared to just over 1,000 marathons.
It’s a challenge without being too overwhelming. You still need to train seriously, but at least you won’t spend the entire day after a long run recovering on the couch watching Netflix.
Half marathon training plans are usually only 10 weeks longs. So guess what? You can sign up to race with less long-term planning.
Running a half marathon means less waiting around for your friends and family who want to cheer for you.
Most people still need to consume some sort of fuel for a half. And let’s be honest: Who doesn’t think of energy chews as the adult version of Gushers? (I mean, you could even use Gushers as fuel, if you wanted.)
You won’t hit the wall, or if you do, it won’t derail you like the one marathoners hit around mile 20. (And TBH: This might be the worst feeling ever.)
When spectators yell “You’re almost there!” at mile 12, they’re not lying.
The half marathon doesn’t take that long. You can run a half in the morning, and later that day still get brunch, go to the movies, get a mani/pedi, or visit a goat farm.
While you are still plenty tired after a half marathon, you usually don’t feel that terrible after. The recovery time for most people after 13.1 is a day or two.
Compared to a marathon, you have only half the chance of getting bloody nipples.
Charged with alerting Athenians about their victory on the battlefield, you’d make it to the outskirts of Pikermi, Greece—a charming little town of just more than 7,000.
You’ll have much more energy at the finish line of a half marathon than a full marathon—which makes for a great photo.
It’s a brag-worthy distance! People are majorly impressed to hear that you ran 13.1 miles.
