Plans / Half marathon

8-week half marathon training plan

For runners who can already run 8 to 10 km comfortably and have two months to race day. Short, so it builds quickly. The plan runs 8 weeks at 4 runs a week. Weekly distance goes from 27 km (16.8 mi) to a peak week of 45 km (28 mi), and the longest run is 15.5 km (9.6 mi). Every workout is listed below with its pace, and none of it is blurred or locked.

Distances and paces in

8-week half marathon plan

VDOT: 42.0
Predicted finish: 1:46:22; 1:44:14–1:48:30
Peak week: 45 km28 mi
Longest run: 15.5 km9.6 mi

Weekly distance, week by week

Base Build Peak Taper

Your pace zones

Zone	Pace range	Used for
Easy	5:38/km9:04/mi – 6:10/km9:55/mi	Most of your running; conversational
Marathon	4:59/km8:01/mi – 5:17/km8:30/mi	Long-run finishes and race-pace practice
Threshold	4:49/km7:45/mi – 4:59/km8:01/mi	Comfortably hard; tempo and cruise intervals
Interval	4:25/km7:06/mi – 4:34/km7:21/mi	Hard repeats of 3–5 minutes
Repetition	4:09/km6:41/mi – 4:19/km6:57/mi	Short fast reps with full recovery

Week by week

Week 1

base · 31.5 km19.6 mi · long run 11 km6.8 mi

Day	Workout	Distance	Details
Tue	Easy run + strides	7 km4.3 mi	5.5 km easy · 6 × 20 s repetition pace @ 4:15/km (1 min easy between)3.4 mi easy · 6 × 20 s repetition pace @ 6:50/mi (1 min easy between)
Thu	Threshold run	7 km4.3 mi	1459 m warm-up easy · 20 min threshold @ 4:54/km · 1459 m cool-down easy0.9 mi warm-up easy · 20 min threshold @ 7:53/mi · 0.9 mi cool-down easy
Fri	Easy run	6.5 km4 mi	6.5 km easy4 mi easy
Sun	Long run	11 km6.8 mi	11 km easy6.8 mi easy

Week 2

base · 34.5 km21.4 mi · long run 12 km7.5 mi

Day	Workout	Distance	Details
Tue	Easy run + strides	7.5 km4.7 mi	6 km easy · 6 × 20 s repetition pace @ 4:15/km (1 min easy between)3.7 mi easy · 6 × 20 s repetition pace @ 6:50/mi (1 min easy between)
Thu	Threshold run	7.5 km4.7 mi	1709 m warm-up easy · 20 min threshold @ 4:54/km · 1709 m cool-down easy1.1 mi warm-up easy · 20 min threshold @ 7:53/mi · 1.1 mi cool-down easy
Fri	Easy run	7.5 km4.7 mi	7.5 km easy4.7 mi easy
Sun	Long run	12 km7.5 mi	12 km easy7.5 mi easy

Week 3

base · 37.5 km23.3 mi · long run 13 km8.1 mi

Day	Workout	Distance	Details
Tue	Easy run + strides	8 km5 mi	6.5 km easy · 6 × 20 s repetition pace @ 4:15/km (1 min easy between)4 mi easy · 6 × 20 s repetition pace @ 6:50/mi (1 min easy between)
Thu	Threshold run	8 km5 mi	1959 m warm-up easy · 20 min threshold @ 4:54/km · 1959 m cool-down easy1.2 mi warm-up easy · 20 min threshold @ 7:53/mi · 1.2 mi cool-down easy
Fri	Easy run	8.5 km5.3 mi	8.5 km easy5.3 mi easy
Sun	Long run	13 km8.1 mi	13 km easy8.1 mi easy

Week 4

build · cutback · 30 km18.6 mi · long run 8 km5 mi

Day	Workout	Distance	Details
Tue	Threshold run	7.5 km4.7 mi	1199 m warm-up easy · 25 min threshold @ 4:54/km · 1199 m cool-down easy0.7 mi warm-up easy · 25 min threshold @ 7:53/mi · 0.7 mi cool-down easy
Thu	Cruise intervals	9.5 km5.9 mi	1179 m warm-up easy · 3 × 10 min threshold @ 4:54/km (2 min easy between) · 1179 m cool-down easy0.7 mi warm-up easy · 3 × 10 min threshold @ 7:53/mi (2 min easy between) · 0.7 mi cool-down easy
Fri	Easy run	5 km3.1 mi	5 km easy3.1 mi easy
Sun	Long run	8 km5 mi	8 km easy5 mi easy

Week 5

build · 41 km25.5 mi · long run 14.5 km9 mi

Day	Workout	Distance	Details
Tue	Threshold run	9 km5.6 mi	1949 m warm-up easy · 25 min threshold @ 4:54/km · 1949 m cool-down easy1.2 mi warm-up easy · 25 min threshold @ 7:53/mi · 1.2 mi cool-down easy
Thu	Cruise intervals	12 km7.5 mi	1238 m warm-up easy · 4 × 10 min threshold @ 4:54/km (2 min easy between) · 1238 m cool-down easy0.8 mi warm-up easy · 4 × 10 min threshold @ 7:53/mi (2 min easy between) · 0.8 mi cool-down easy
Fri	Easy run	5.5 km3.4 mi	5.5 km easy3.4 mi easy
Sun	Long run	14.5 km9 mi	14.5 km easy9 mi easy

Week 6

peak · 45 km28 mi · long run 15.5 km9.6 mi

Day	Workout	Distance	Details
Tue	Marathon-pace run	10 km6.2 mi	2078 m warm-up easy · 30 min marathon pace @ 5:08/km · 2078 m cool-down easy1.3 mi warm-up easy · 30 min marathon pace @ 8:16/mi · 1.3 mi cool-down easy
Thu	Cruise intervals	13 km8.1 mi	1143 m warm-up easy · 3 × 15 min threshold @ 4:54/km (3 min easy between) · 1143 m cool-down easy0.7 mi warm-up easy · 3 × 15 min threshold @ 7:53/mi (3 min easy between) · 0.7 mi cool-down easy
Fri	Easy run	6.5 km4 mi	6.5 km easy4 mi easy
Sun	Long run · finish at marathon pace	15.5 km9.6 mi	10.5 km easy · 5 km marathon pace @ 5:08/km6.5 mi easy · 3.1 mi marathon pace @ 8:16/mi

Week 7

taper · 27 km16.8 mi · long run 8 km5 mi

Day	Workout	Distance	Details
Tue	Easy run + strides	6.5 km4 mi	5 km easy · 6 × 20 s repetition pace @ 4:15/km (1 min easy between)3.1 mi easy · 6 × 20 s repetition pace @ 6:50/mi (1 min easy between)
Thu	Threshold run	6.5 km4 mi	1209 m warm-up easy · 20 min threshold @ 4:54/km · 1209 m cool-down easy0.8 mi warm-up easy · 20 min threshold @ 7:53/mi · 0.8 mi cool-down easy
Fri	Easy run	6 km3.7 mi	6 km easy3.7 mi easy
Sun	Long run	8 km5 mi	8 km easy5 mi easy

Week 8

taper · race week · 34.1 km21.2 mi

Day	Workout	Distance	Details
Tue	Easy run	5 km3.1 mi	3.9 km easy · 3 × 1 min threshold @ 4:54/km (1 min easy between)2.4 mi easy · 3 × 1 min threshold @ 7:53/mi (1 min easy between)
Thu	Shakeout	5 km3.1 mi	4 km easy · 4 × 20 s repetition pace @ 4:15/km (1 min easy between)2.5 mi easy · 4 × 20 s repetition pace @ 6:50/mi (1 min easy between)
Sat	Shakeout	3 km1.9 mi	3 km easy1.9 mi easy
Sun	Race day	21.1 km13.1 mi	21.1 km threshold @ 4:54/km13.1 mi threshold @ 7:53/mi

Make it yours

This plan assumes a fixed fitness level. Enter your own race date and result and every pace changes.

Build my own plan

Questions

How many weeks is this half marathon plan?

8 weeks counting back from race day, 4 runs a week. Week 8 is race week.

How far is the longest run?

15.5 km (9.6 mi), reached in the peak phase before the taper begins.

How much will I run each week?

Between 27 km (16.8 mi) and 45 km (28 mi), with a lighter week roughly every fourth week.

Can I train for a half marathon in 8 weeks?

If you already run regularly, yes. If you are not yet comfortable at 8 km, choose the 12- or 16-week plan.

What if I miss a workout?

Don't try to make it up. The MarathonPlan app moves the next week down by 15 percent after two or more missed workouts and never adds distance to catch up. The rules are public on the methodology page.

Is the plan free?

Yes. The full plan, every week, is free on this page and in the generator. The app subscription ($4.99 a month or $39.99 a year) adds the calendar, rescheduling and the adaptive rules.