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London Marathon training plan

A London Marathon plan for 24–25 April 2027: the flat Thames course, when to start, and a coach that plans each week from the runs you log.

Race day: Saturday 24 and Sunday 25 April 2027 · London, England

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Week 1

5 runs4 h 2 min
  • Mon30 minEasy run
  • Tue47 minHill repeats
  • Thu40 minEasy run + strides
  • Sat35 minEasy run
  • Sun90 minLong run

Coach

This first week matches what you're running now, so your body can settle in.

For someone running about 4 h a week now.

The course

  • Three starts, one road

    Runners start from three areas around Blackheath and Greenwich Park. The routes merge in Woolwich after about 4.5 km (2.8 miles), so the first miles can be busy.

  • Largely flat

    The course follows the Thames and climbs about 85 m (280 ft) in total. It is widely seen as one of the fastest marathon courses.

  • Landmarks and the loop

    You pass the Cutty Sark around 10 km and cross Tower Bridge about halfway, then loop through Canary Wharf on the Isle of Dogs before coming back along the Embankment.

  • A finish on The Mall

    The last stretch runs along the Embankment and Birdcage Walk to a finish on The Mall.

When to start

Count back from race day. 2027 is a one-off two-day event, and runners take part in person on one of the two days.

The Monday to start on, by plan length
LengthStart bySuits
12 weeksMonday 25 January 2027You run regularly now
16 weeksMonday 28 December 2026A common length for a marathon
20 weeksMonday 30 November 2026More room if you run little now

What matters for the London Marathon

  • Run even, not fast

    A flat course rewards steady effort. In the later weeks some of your long runs finish at marathon pace, so that effort is familiar by race day.

  • Hold back at the start

    Three starts merge early and the fields are big. Plan the first few kilometres easier than race pace and let the race settle.

  • Tell your coach when a week goes wrong

    In a winter block, weeks go wrong. Skip with a reason or leave it: next week is planned from what you actually ran, never from what you missed.

Getting a place

Most places come from the public ballot, charity places, Good for Age times or an affiliated running club. The organisers publish the current rules.

The organisers' site

Every week to race day

A sample marathon plan, not one for this race: a runner’s weeks to race day if every week goes as planned. Yours is planned from your race, your days and what you run now.
  1. Week 1: 242 minutes, build
  2. Week 2: 264 minutes, build
  3. Week 3: 288 minutes, build
  4. Week 4: 318 minutes, build
  5. Week 5: 318 minutes, build
  6. Week 6: 242 minutes, easier
  7. Week 7: 319 minutes, race-specific
  8. Week 8: 351 minutes, race-specific
  9. Week 9: 379 minutes, race-specific
  10. Week 10: 283 minutes, easier
  11. Week 11: 376 minutes, race-specific
  12. Week 12: 407 minutes, race-specific
  13. Week 13: 418 minutes, race-specific
  14. Week 14: 326 minutes, taper
  15. Week 15: 261 minutes, taper
  16. Week 16: 433 minutes, race week
Running time each week to race day
  1. Week 6 This is an easier week, so your body can absorb the training.
  2. Week 7 A new 4-week cycle starts, focused on race-specific work at your race effort. Race-specific training: sessions at your race effort.
  3. Week 14 Taper: less running, same intensity, so you start the race fresh.

Questions before you start

When should I start training for the London Marathon?

For a plan of at least 16 weeks, start by Monday 28 December 2026. 12 weeks (Monday 25 January 2027) suits a runner who already runs regularly, and 20 weeks (Monday 30 November 2026) gives more room if you run little now. A spring race puts most of the plan in the cold and the dark, so choose run times you can keep on a dark morning. When you set your race, your coach checks the date against your running and tells you if it comes too soon.

What is different about the London Marathon in 2027?

It is a one-off two-day event on Saturday 24 and Sunday 25 April 2027. Runners take part in person on one of the two days. Your plan is the same either way: build toward the day you are given.

Is the London Marathon flat?

Largely. The course follows the Thames and climbs about 85 m (280 ft) in total over 42.2 km, so it is one of the faster courses, with turns more than hills.

How do I get a place in the London Marathon?

Through the public ballot, charity places, Good for Age qualifying times or an affiliated running club. Check the organisers' site for the rules for your year.

What if I miss a run?

Skip it with a reason, or just leave it. Missed runs are never made up: next week is planned from what you actually ran.

What happens after the 14 days?

Unless you subscribe, for $9.99 a month or $59.99 a year, your coach stops: no new weeks, logging, check-ins or reminders. You can still see your plan, past weeks and logged runs, and download or delete your data. We never asked for a card, so nothing is charged.

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Choose marathon, set the days you can run and what you run now. Your plan starts from there, and every week is planned from the one before.

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