Training plans

Free Marathon training plans

The full distance. Training is measured in months and long runs, not workouts.

Common questions

How long does it take to train for a marathon?

The recommended build is 18 weeks — long enough to add fitness with gentle weekly jumps, short enough to stay motivated. The app can also generate shorter or longer versions of the same plan around your actual race date.

How many days a week do I need to run?

Between 4 days a week on the beginner plans and 5 on the advanced ones. Consistency beats volume: the schedule you can actually keep is the one that gets you to the start line.

What is the longest run in marathon training?

From about 150 minutes on the beginner plans up to 190 minutes on the advanced ones, built up gradually and cut back on recovery weeks. Every plan page shows the exact long-run progression week by week.

Paces come from you, not the plan: calculate yours from a recent race, or enter it on any plan page.

Every one of these plans runs from your Apple Watch in the free RunPlan app — live intervals, your paces, haptic cues.

Download on the App Store

No sign-ups • No ads