Half Marathon Training Program 2026

Hal Higdon's Novice 1 Half Marathon Training Program is a 12-week plan for beginning runners preparing for their first 13.1-mile race. It starts from a modest base: if you can handle 3-to-4-mile runs in the first week, the plan is meant to carry you to the finish line. A typical week includes four runs, two cross-training sessions, one strength session, and two days off, providing structure without requiring daily running. The longest workout is 10 miles, meaning runners do not cover the full half marathon distance until race day. Higdon presents the half marathon as a practical goal for most healthy people with basic fitness, whether they aim for a stepping stone toward 26.2 miles or simply want a long race that concludes at 13.1. The half marathon is the most popular race distance in America, with approximately 2 million finishers last year, about four times the number of marathon finishers. Runners with more experience are directed to the Novice 2 plan, while Novice 1 remains intended for first-timers.