When will you finish your first half marathon?
The short answer
Most first-time half marathon runners need 12–14 weeks of structured training, three to four runs per week. Pick your goal race date, work backwards, and the math tells you when to start week 1.
On this page
- The natural progression from 5K → 10K → half
- How long do most people train for a half marathon?
- How to calculate your race-ready date (worked example)
- The three pillars: long runs, easy runs, one quality session
- Common Australian half marathons by date
- What if you miss training weeks?
- Try the fitness calculator
The natural progression from 5K → 10K → half
If you can comfortably finish a 10K, the half is a 12–14 week project. If you're newer, layer a couch-to-5K and then a 5K-to-10K block first — it pays back in fewer injuries and a better race day.
How long do most people train for a half marathon?
First-timers: 12–14 weeks. PB chasers with a recent base: 8–10 weeks. Returning after a long break: 16+ weeks. Don't compress — compressed plans are where injuries live.
How to calculate your race-ready date (worked example)
14-week plan, 3 runs/week, race in mid-September. Count back 14 weeks. Week one starts in early June. The calendar has decided your June Tuesdays for you.
The three pillars: long runs, easy runs, one quality session
The long run trains the engine. Easy runs build the chassis. One quality session per week (tempo or intervals) sharpens race pace. That's the whole shape.
Race day is the easy part. Week six is where the medal is actually earned.
Common Australian half marathons by date
Perth City to Surf (August), Sydney Half (May), Melbourne Half (October), Gold Coast Half (July). Pick yours and the calendar does the rest.
What if you miss training weeks?
Recalculate, don't restart. One missed week pushes things back about a week. Two missed weeks back-to-back? Consider dropping to a less ambitious time goal rather than abandoning the race.
Try the fitness calculator
Pick your race date. We tell you when week one starts.
