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Running plan

Free 20-week couch to half marathon plan

Free in The Next Race. Account required.

Duration

20 weeks

Sessions per week

3–4

Time per week

1h 32m–3h 40m

Longest run

2h

Race distance

21.1 km

A 20-week plan that takes you from no running to a half marathon. The first 8 weeks are run-walk sessions that build to 25 minutes of continuous running. From week 9 you run three, then four times a week, and the long run grows to 2 hours by week 18. Recovery weeks fall at 12 and 16, and a two-week taper leads into race day. Every run is easy and conversational except a weekly fartlek from week 13.

Week by week

WeekSessionsTimeLong runNotes
131h 32m32m
231h 33m31m
331h 36m34m
431h 37m32m
531h 50m40m
631h 46m40m
731h 34m32m
831h 45m35m
931h 45m45m
1031h 50m50m
1131h 55m45m
1231h 45m45mRecovery week
1342h 21m55m
1442h 36m1h 05m
1542h 48m1h 15m
1642h 30m55mRecovery week
1743h 15m1h 35m
1843h 40m2hPeak week
1942h 45m1h 10mTaper
20350m25mRace 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.