Skip to main content
Running plan

Free 9-week couch to 5K plan

Free in The Next Race. Account required.

Duration

9 weeks

Sessions per week

3

Time per week

1h 32m–1h 50m

Longest run

40m

Race distance

5 km

A 9-week plan that takes you from no running to running a 5K. Three sessions a week, about 25-35 minutes each. You start with 1-minute runs between walks, the runs get longer every week, and by week 7 you run 20 minutes without stopping. Week 9 ends with your 5K. Every run is easy and conversational (RPE 4/10).

Week by week

WeekSessionsTimeLong runNotes
131h 32m32m
231h 33m31m
331h 36m34m
431h 37m32m
531h 50m40m
631h 46m40m
731h 34m32m
831h 45m35m
931h 08m38mRace week · Race day

How it works in The Next Race

Add it to your calendar

Pick a start date, or pick your race date and the plan lines up behind it. You get your own copy, so you can move, edit or delete any session.

Set your zones

The test sessions set your training zones, so the targets fit your current fitness rather than someone else's.

Train with your devices

Workouts sync to Garmin and Wahoo, completed activities come back from Garmin, Strava and Polar, and indoor rides can run on a smart trainer.

Ready to start?

Add this plan to your calendar for free.