Lesson 15 · Resources · Half Marathon Plans
Your first half marathon
Build towards a first half marathon with four easy running days. Keep the effort comfortable and use walking breaks when they help.
- Length
- 16 weeks
- Running days
- 4 a week
- Approach
- Easy completion
Before you begin
You can run 8 km comfortably and have a consistent three-day routine of about 15–20 km a week. The added Monday outing is short recovery running.
These starting requirements describe this general plan, not an individual health assessment. Build a consistent base first if they do not fit your current running.
How the plan fits together
Short recovery Mondays support regular practice without speedwork. Weeks 4, 7, 10 and 13 interrupt the build; a 17 km long outing precedes the taper. The event is a completion goal, not a pace test.
No finish-time target or personalised pace is assumed.
Effort, recovery and looking after yourself
Easy means a comfortable effort with room to talk in sentences. Slow down or use walking breaks to keep that effort. No finish time or personal pace is prescribed.
Warm-up and cool-down are included, not extra work. For distance sessions, start and finish with at least five gentle minutes within the listed distance. Timed sessions state their full warm-up, work and cool-down.
Rest days have no scheduled running. Optional gentle movement is a choice, not another workout. If recovery is poor, take rest rather than forcing a session.
Do not double up after missed sessions. If you miss several, reassess your preparation and event date instead of trying to catch up. Stop running when pain develops; seek qualified advice for persistent pain or health concerns.
Practise your own food, drink and equipment choices during preparation. Choose safe routes and a way home if you stop. This general plan cannot assess your health or individual readiness.
Weekly totals separate kilometres and timed session duration. Timed sessions include any walking, warm-up, cool-down and easy recoveries, not just running. Do not add kilometres and minutes together or treat timed sessions as zero distance. A week containing timed sessions has no complete kilometre total without your actual distance.
These general references inform effort, looking after yourself and reducing training before an event. They do not supply or endorse this RGN schedule, promise a result or establish that it is suitable for everyone.
Your 16 weeks
Every day is here. Session times and distances include their warm-up and cool-down; they are not extra work.
Week 18 km Sunday
17 km. All listed running distance included.
2 km at comfortable conversational effort. Walking breaks are welcome. Start and finish with at least five gentle minutes within this distance, not added on. Take rest instead when you are not recovered.
4 km at comfortable conversational effort. Walking breaks are welcome. Start and finish with at least five gentle minutes within this distance, not added on. Take rest instead when you are not recovered.
No scheduled running today. Gentle everyday movement is optional, not another workout.
3 km at comfortable conversational effort. Walking breaks are welcome. Start and finish with at least five gentle minutes within this distance, not added on. Take rest instead when you are not recovered.
No scheduled running today. Gentle everyday movement is optional, not another workout.
No scheduled running today. Gentle everyday movement is optional, not another workout.
8 km at comfortable conversational effort. Walking breaks are welcome. Start and finish with at least five gentle minutes within this distance, not added on. Take rest instead when you are not recovered.
Week 29 km Sunday
19 km. All listed running distance included.
2 km at comfortable conversational effort. Walking breaks are welcome. Start and finish with at least five gentle minutes within this distance, not added on. Take rest instead when you are not recovered.
4 km at comfortable conversational effort. Walking breaks are welcome. Start and finish with at least five gentle minutes within this distance, not added on. Take rest instead when you are not recovered.
No scheduled running today. Gentle everyday movement is optional, not another workout.
4 km at comfortable conversational effort. Walking breaks are welcome. Start and finish with at least five gentle minutes within this distance, not added on. Take rest instead when you are not recovered.
No scheduled running today. Gentle everyday movement is optional, not another workout.
No scheduled running today. Gentle everyday movement is optional, not another workout.
9 km at comfortable conversational effort. Walking breaks are welcome. Start and finish with at least five gentle minutes within this distance, not added on. Take rest instead when you are not recovered.
Week 310 km Sunday
21 km. All listed running distance included.
2 km at comfortable conversational effort. Walking breaks are welcome. Start and finish with at least five gentle minutes within this distance, not added on. Take rest instead when you are not recovered.
5 km at comfortable conversational effort. Walking breaks are welcome. Start and finish with at least five gentle minutes within this distance, not added on. Take rest instead when you are not recovered.
No scheduled running today. Gentle everyday movement is optional, not another workout.
4 km at comfortable conversational effort. Walking breaks are welcome. Start and finish with at least five gentle minutes within this distance, not added on. Take rest instead when you are not recovered.
No scheduled running today. Gentle everyday movement is optional, not another workout.
No scheduled running today. Gentle everyday movement is optional, not another workout.
10 km at comfortable conversational effort. Walking breaks are welcome. Start and finish with at least five gentle minutes within this distance, not added on. Take rest instead when you are not recovered.
Week 48 km Sunday
17 km. All listed running distance included.
2 km at comfortable conversational effort. Walking breaks are welcome. Start and finish with at least five gentle minutes within this distance, not added on. Take rest instead when you are not recovered.
4 km at comfortable conversational effort. Walking breaks are welcome. Start and finish with at least five gentle minutes within this distance, not added on. Take rest instead when you are not recovered.
No scheduled running today. Gentle everyday movement is optional, not another workout.
3 km at comfortable conversational effort. Walking breaks are welcome. Start and finish with at least five gentle minutes within this distance, not added on. Take rest instead when you are not recovered.
No scheduled running today. Gentle everyday movement is optional, not another workout.
No scheduled running today. Gentle everyday movement is optional, not another workout.
8 km at comfortable conversational effort. Walking breaks are welcome. Start and finish with at least five gentle minutes within this distance, not added on. Take rest instead when you are not recovered.
Week 511 km Sunday
23 km. All listed running distance included.
3 km at comfortable conversational effort. Walking breaks are welcome. Start and finish with at least five gentle minutes within this distance, not added on. Take rest instead when you are not recovered.
5 km at comfortable conversational effort. Walking breaks are welcome. Start and finish with at least five gentle minutes within this distance, not added on. Take rest instead when you are not recovered.
No scheduled running today. Gentle everyday movement is optional, not another workout.
4 km at comfortable conversational effort. Walking breaks are welcome. Start and finish with at least five gentle minutes within this distance, not added on. Take rest instead when you are not recovered.
No scheduled running today. Gentle everyday movement is optional, not another workout.
No scheduled running today. Gentle everyday movement is optional, not another workout.
11 km at comfortable conversational effort. Walking breaks are welcome. Start and finish with at least five gentle minutes within this distance, not added on. Take rest instead when you are not recovered.
Week 612 km Sunday
25 km. All listed running distance included.
3 km at comfortable conversational effort. Walking breaks are welcome. Start and finish with at least five gentle minutes within this distance, not added on. Take rest instead when you are not recovered.
5 km at comfortable conversational effort. Walking breaks are welcome. Start and finish with at least five gentle minutes within this distance, not added on. Take rest instead when you are not recovered.
No scheduled running today. Gentle everyday movement is optional, not another workout.
5 km at comfortable conversational effort. Walking breaks are welcome. Start and finish with at least five gentle minutes within this distance, not added on. Take rest instead when you are not recovered.
No scheduled running today. Gentle everyday movement is optional, not another workout.
No scheduled running today. Gentle everyday movement is optional, not another workout.
12 km at comfortable conversational effort. Walking breaks are welcome. Start and finish with at least five gentle minutes within this distance, not added on. Take rest instead when you are not recovered.
Week 79 km Sunday
19 km. All listed running distance included.
2 km at comfortable conversational effort. Walking breaks are welcome. Start and finish with at least five gentle minutes within this distance, not added on. Take rest instead when you are not recovered.
4 km at comfortable conversational effort. Walking breaks are welcome. Start and finish with at least five gentle minutes within this distance, not added on. Take rest instead when you are not recovered.
No scheduled running today. Gentle everyday movement is optional, not another workout.
4 km at comfortable conversational effort. Walking breaks are welcome. Start and finish with at least five gentle minutes within this distance, not added on. Take rest instead when you are not recovered.
No scheduled running today. Gentle everyday movement is optional, not another workout.
No scheduled running today. Gentle everyday movement is optional, not another workout.
9 km at comfortable conversational effort. Walking breaks are welcome. Start and finish with at least five gentle minutes within this distance, not added on. Take rest instead when you are not recovered.
Week 813 km Sunday
26 km. All listed running distance included.
3 km at comfortable conversational effort. Walking breaks are welcome. Start and finish with at least five gentle minutes within this distance, not added on. Take rest instead when you are not recovered.
5 km at comfortable conversational effort. Walking breaks are welcome. Start and finish with at least five gentle minutes within this distance, not added on. Take rest instead when you are not recovered.
No scheduled running today. Gentle everyday movement is optional, not another workout.
5 km at comfortable conversational effort. Walking breaks are welcome. Start and finish with at least five gentle minutes within this distance, not added on. Take rest instead when you are not recovered.
No scheduled running today. Gentle everyday movement is optional, not another workout.
No scheduled running today. Gentle everyday movement is optional, not another workout.
13 km at comfortable conversational effort. Walking breaks are welcome. Start and finish with at least five gentle minutes within this distance, not added on. Take rest instead when you are not recovered.
Week 914 km Sunday
28 km. All listed running distance included.
3 km at comfortable conversational effort. Walking breaks are welcome. Start and finish with at least five gentle minutes within this distance, not added on. Take rest instead when you are not recovered.
6 km at comfortable conversational effort. Walking breaks are welcome. Start and finish with at least five gentle minutes within this distance, not added on. Take rest instead when you are not recovered.
No scheduled running today. Gentle everyday movement is optional, not another workout.
5 km at comfortable conversational effort. Walking breaks are welcome. Start and finish with at least five gentle minutes within this distance, not added on. Take rest instead when you are not recovered.
No scheduled running today. Gentle everyday movement is optional, not another workout.
No scheduled running today. Gentle everyday movement is optional, not another workout.
14 km at comfortable conversational effort. Walking breaks are welcome. Start and finish with at least five gentle minutes within this distance, not added on. Take rest instead when you are not recovered.
Week 1010 km Sunday
21 km. All listed running distance included.
2 km at comfortable conversational effort. Walking breaks are welcome. Start and finish with at least five gentle minutes within this distance, not added on. Take rest instead when you are not recovered.
5 km at comfortable conversational effort. Walking breaks are welcome. Start and finish with at least five gentle minutes within this distance, not added on. Take rest instead when you are not recovered.
No scheduled running today. Gentle everyday movement is optional, not another workout.
4 km at comfortable conversational effort. Walking breaks are welcome. Start and finish with at least five gentle minutes within this distance, not added on. Take rest instead when you are not recovered.
No scheduled running today. Gentle everyday movement is optional, not another workout.
No scheduled running today. Gentle everyday movement is optional, not another workout.
10 km at comfortable conversational effort. Walking breaks are welcome. Start and finish with at least five gentle minutes within this distance, not added on. Take rest instead when you are not recovered.
Week 1115 km Sunday
29 km. All listed running distance included.
3 km at comfortable conversational effort. Walking breaks are welcome. Start and finish with at least five gentle minutes within this distance, not added on. Take rest instead when you are not recovered.
6 km at comfortable conversational effort. Walking breaks are welcome. Start and finish with at least five gentle minutes within this distance, not added on. Take rest instead when you are not recovered.
No scheduled running today. Gentle everyday movement is optional, not another workout.
5 km at comfortable conversational effort. Walking breaks are welcome. Start and finish with at least five gentle minutes within this distance, not added on. Take rest instead when you are not recovered.
No scheduled running today. Gentle everyday movement is optional, not another workout.
No scheduled running today. Gentle everyday movement is optional, not another workout.
15 km at comfortable conversational effort. Walking breaks are welcome. Start and finish with at least five gentle minutes within this distance, not added on. Take rest instead when you are not recovered.
Week 1216 km Sunday
31 km. All listed running distance included.
3 km at comfortable conversational effort. Walking breaks are welcome. Start and finish with at least five gentle minutes within this distance, not added on. Take rest instead when you are not recovered.
6 km at comfortable conversational effort. Walking breaks are welcome. Start and finish with at least five gentle minutes within this distance, not added on. Take rest instead when you are not recovered.
No scheduled running today. Gentle everyday movement is optional, not another workout.
6 km at comfortable conversational effort. Walking breaks are welcome. Start and finish with at least five gentle minutes within this distance, not added on. Take rest instead when you are not recovered.
No scheduled running today. Gentle everyday movement is optional, not another workout.
No scheduled running today. Gentle everyday movement is optional, not another workout.
16 km at comfortable conversational effort. Walking breaks are welcome. Start and finish with at least five gentle minutes within this distance, not added on. Take rest instead when you are not recovered.
Week 1312 km Sunday
23 km. All listed running distance included.
2 km at comfortable conversational effort. Walking breaks are welcome. Start and finish with at least five gentle minutes within this distance, not added on. Take rest instead when you are not recovered.
5 km at comfortable conversational effort. Walking breaks are welcome. Start and finish with at least five gentle minutes within this distance, not added on. Take rest instead when you are not recovered.
No scheduled running today. Gentle everyday movement is optional, not another workout.
4 km at comfortable conversational effort. Walking breaks are welcome. Start and finish with at least five gentle minutes within this distance, not added on. Take rest instead when you are not recovered.
No scheduled running today. Gentle everyday movement is optional, not another workout.
No scheduled running today. Gentle everyday movement is optional, not another workout.
12 km at comfortable conversational effort. Walking breaks are welcome. Start and finish with at least five gentle minutes within this distance, not added on. Take rest instead when you are not recovered.
Week 1417 km Sunday
29 km. All listed running distance included.
3 km at comfortable conversational effort. Walking breaks are welcome. Start and finish with at least five gentle minutes within this distance, not added on. Take rest instead when you are not recovered.
5 km at comfortable conversational effort. Walking breaks are welcome. Start and finish with at least five gentle minutes within this distance, not added on. Take rest instead when you are not recovered.
No scheduled running today. Gentle everyday movement is optional, not another workout.
4 km at comfortable conversational effort. Walking breaks are welcome. Start and finish with at least five gentle minutes within this distance, not added on. Take rest instead when you are not recovered.
No scheduled running today. Gentle everyday movement is optional, not another workout.
No scheduled running today. Gentle everyday movement is optional, not another workout.
17 km at comfortable conversational effort. Walking breaks are welcome. Start and finish with at least five gentle minutes within this distance, not added on. Take rest instead when you are not recovered.
Week 1512 km Sunday
22 km. All listed running distance included.
2 km at comfortable conversational effort. Walking breaks are welcome. Start and finish with at least five gentle minutes within this distance, not added on. Take rest instead when you are not recovered.
4 km at comfortable conversational effort. Walking breaks are welcome. Start and finish with at least five gentle minutes within this distance, not added on. Take rest instead when you are not recovered.
No scheduled running today. Gentle everyday movement is optional, not another workout.
4 km at comfortable conversational effort. Walking breaks are welcome. Start and finish with at least five gentle minutes within this distance, not added on. Take rest instead when you are not recovered.
No scheduled running today. Gentle everyday movement is optional, not another workout.
No scheduled running today. Gentle everyday movement is optional, not another workout.
12 km at comfortable conversational effort. Walking breaks are welcome. Start and finish with at least five gentle minutes within this distance, not added on. Take rest instead when you are not recovered.
Week 16Event Sunday
29.1 km. All listed running distance included.
2 km at comfortable conversational effort. Walking breaks are welcome. Start and finish with at least five gentle minutes within this distance, not added on. Take rest instead when you are not recovered.
3 km at comfortable conversational effort. Walking breaks are welcome. Start and finish with at least five gentle minutes within this distance, not added on. Take rest instead when you are not recovered.
No scheduled running today. Gentle everyday movement is optional, not another workout.
3 km at comfortable conversational effort. Walking breaks are welcome. Start and finish with at least five gentle minutes within this distance, not added on. Take rest instead when you are not recovered.
No scheduled running today. Gentle everyday movement is optional, not another workout.
No scheduled running today. Gentle everyday movement is optional, not another workout.
Your event day. Start at an effort you can sustain. Walking breaks are welcome. Follow your own event preparation and stop if health or safety concerns arise.
About this plan
Written for RGN as a general half-marathon plan, not individual coaching or a promise of a result. Later changes never rewrite your saved copy.
General references: CDC guide to relative effort, NHS running injury guidance, Research on tapering in endurance athletes. These sources do not endorse this schedule.