Running the half marathon distance, which is 13.1 miles, is a stellar goal for any runner. For those who want to tackle a long distance but aren’t quite ready for a full marathon or those looking to go a little farther than the 5K or 10K, the half marathon is the ideal event.
When you sign up to run a half marathon, you’re also signing up to put in the work to run more than double the distance of the 6.2 miles in the 10K. It will require safely building up to a higher weekly mileage, longer runs, and a few different types of runs—fartleks, tempos, and interval runs, to name a few—to develop the endurance and speed you’ll need to complete the 13.1-mile distance.
Whether you’re building up to 13.1 miles for the first time, or planning to smash your PR, we’ve got the training plan you need to finish strong and healthy. Plus, plenty of advice for building strength while training and how to warm up, cool down, and recover right.
But if you first need more convincing that the half-marathon distance reigns supreme, here are 13 reasons to sign up for a race STAT—as shown by gifs.
Popular Half Marathon Training Plans
13 Reasons Why the Half Marathon Distance Is the Best
1. There are thousands of half marathons to choose from across the U.S.—more than other distances like the full marathon.
2. It’s a challenge without being too overwhelming. You still need to train seriously, but at least you won’t spend the entire day after a long run feeling like you need to stay on the couch.
3. Half marathon training plans are usually only 10 weeks longs. So guess what? You can sign up to race with less long-term planning.
4. Running a half marathon means less waiting around for your friends and family who spectate and want to cheer for you.
5. Most people still need to consume some sort of fuel for a half. And let’s be honest: Who doesn’t think of energy chews as the adult version of Gushers? (I mean, you could even use Gushers as fuel, if you wanted.)
6. You won’t hit the wall, or if you do, it won’t derail you like the one marathoners hit around mile 20. (And TBH: Bonking might be the worst feeling ever.)
7. When spectators yell “you’re almost there!” at mile 12, they’re not lying.
8. The half marathon doesn’t take that long. You can run a half in the morning, and later that day still get brunch, go to the movies, get a mani/pedi, or visit a goat farm.
9. While you are still plenty tired after a half marathon, you usually don’t feel that terrible after. The recovery time for most people after 13.1 is a day or two.
10. Compared to a marathon, you have only half the chance of getting bloody nipples.
11. Charged with alerting Athenians about their victory on the battlefield, you’d make it to the outskirts of Pikermi, Greece—a charming little town of just more than 7,000.
12. You’ll have much more energy at the finish line of a half marathon than a full marathon—which makes for a great photo.
13. It’s a brag-worthy distance! People are majorly impressed to hear that you ran 13.1 miles.
