Half marathon training plans

Half marathon training plans for a Sub 2hr down to 1:30hr

Choose the right half-marathon plan for your current endurance, then build the easy miles, tempo strength and race-day control needed to finish well or chase a PB.

Find My Plan Browse half-marathon plans Half Marathon Pace Chart

A social running group training together beside an urban waterfront.

Your half-marathon journey

From first finish to 1:30.

Build the distance first, then progress through the target times as your endurance and pace improve.

Half-marathon progression

Build the distance. Then move up the ladder.

Start by finishing the distance well, then progress through Sub 2, 1:45 and 1:30 as endurance grows.

1
Start where you are Decide whether completing the distance or chasing a faster time is the honest next goal.
Beginner half plan
2
Choose the next target Pick the next rung that fits your current endurance, rather than forcing a heroic jump.
Browse the full ladder
3
Train, race, move up Build the long-run strength, race the target, recover, then progress when the pace is durable.
See the Sub 2 plan See the 1:45 plan

One journey. A series of achievable PBs. Begin at the rung that matches today’s fitness.

Use the Plan Finder

Half-marathon ladder

Pick the next realistic half-marathon target.

The half-marathon ladder runs from finishing the distance through Sub 2, 1:45 and 1:30. Start with the plan that matches today’s endurance, not old-you’s fantasy press conference.

1 Build 8 Week Half Marathon Training Plan Best suited to runners who are comfortable with 5k or 10k and want to build toward finishing the half marathon distance. Finish / build endurance Comfortable effort 2 Breakthrough Sub 2 Hour Half Marathon Training Plan Best suited to runners around 2:00–2:15 for the half marathon who can run target pace for at least a couple of miles. Sub 2 hours 9:07/mile 3 Performance 1:45 Half Marathon Training Plan Best suited to runners with a half-marathon PB under around 2 hours who can run close to 8:00/mile for at least a mile. 1:45 8:00/mile 4 Performance 1:30 Half Marathon Training Plan Best suited to experienced runners already close to 1:30–1:40 for the half marathon with strong 10k fitness. 1:30 6:52/mile

How half-marathon training works

Aerobic patience with just enough bite.

The half marathon is long enough to punish chaos, but fast enough that pace still matters. The plan has to build durability and discipline together.

Easy running

Builds aerobic volume without draining the sessions that actually need focus.

TMP

Tempo strength

Teaches the body to hold a strong rhythm without tipping into race effort too early.

REP

1km / 2km reps

Practises race rhythm in manageable chunks before asking for it continuously.

Long run support

Builds confidence, durability and the final-mile calm that stops panic goblin nonsense.

Full comparison

All half-marathon plans by target.

Use this when you know roughly where your endurance is and want to compare target pace before committing to a block.

Plan	Level	Target	Pace	Best suited to
8 Week Half Marathon Training Plan	Beginner	Finish / build endurance	Comfortable effort / Comfortable effort	Best suited to runners who are comfortable with 5k or 10k and want to build toward finishing the half marathon distance.
Sub 2 Hour Half Marathon Training Plan	Intermediate	Sub 2 hours	9:07/mile / 5:39/km	Best suited to runners around 2:00–2:15 for the half marathon who can run target pace for at least a couple of miles.
1:45 Half Marathon Training Plan	Advanced	1:45	8:00/mile / 4:58/km	Best suited to runners with a half-marathon PB under around 2 hours who can run close to 8:00/mile for at least a mile.
1:30 Half Marathon Training Plan	Advanced	1:30	6:52/mile / 4:16/km	Best suited to experienced runners already close to 1:30–1:40 for the half marathon with strong 10k fitness.