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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 PlanBrowse half-marathon plansHalf Marathon Pace Chart
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. 1
    Start today Use a recent race time or current fitness to find your starting point.
    Beginner half plan
  2. 2
    Choose the next PB Pick the next realistic target — not the fastest time you can imagine.
    Browse the full ladder
  3. 3
    Train, race, get faster Complete the block, bank the PB, recover, then take on the next challenge.
    See the Sub 2 planSee 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 Beginner Half Marathon Training Plan: 8-Week Schedule 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.

EZ

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.

LR

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.

PlanLevelTargetPaceBest suited to
Beginner Half Marathon Training Plan: 8-Week ScheduleBeginnerFinish / build enduranceComfortable effort / Comfortable effortBest 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 PlanIntermediateSub 2 hours9:07/mile / 5:39/kmBest 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 PlanAdvanced1:458:00/mile / 4:58/kmBest 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 PlanAdvanced1:306:52/mile / 4:16/kmBest suited to experienced runners already close to 1:30–1:40 for the half marathon with strong 10k fitness.
The next distance

Thinking about a marathon?

A half marathon is a useful stepping stone. Before moving up, check the starting mileage and long-run requirements in our marathon plans.

Explore marathon training