Endure 365 Running | Sub 5 Hour Marathon Training Plan

For many runners, completing a marathon in under 5 hours is a major accomplishment that should make you so proud! This plan consists of a daily and weekly breakdown of mileage, workout type, and phase of training all written by heart rate training coach and elite athlete, Arturs Bareikis.

Who is this plan for?

This plan is designed for runners who already have a solid base and are in good general shape. You should be able to run 30-45 miles a week without additional workouts.

To break 5 hours in the marathon, you will need to maintain a pace of 11:30 per mile (or 7:07 minute per kilometer).

Over the course of 12 weeks, you will work on strength, speed, and endurance, covering all three components to maximize your chances of success on race day.

Before starting the program:

It is beneficial to meet certain standards before beginning. Ideally, you should be able to run a half marathon at your goal marathon pace, which is 11:30 per mile (or 7:07 per kilometer), equating to a half marathon time of .

Completing a good base plan like our intermediate base plan or 12 weeks of this plan will give you a chance to break the 5 hour barrier.

Plan Overview:

These suggestions are meant to help you transition smoothly and choose the right goal. However, many runners who did not meet these qualifications have still succeeded on race day.

If you follow the plan each day and week to the best of your abilities, you will succeed!