Spring 2026 Marathon Training Starts Now, Say PureGym Experts

The running experts at PureGym are advising anyone who is taking part in a marathon in Spring 2026 to start their training plan this week (w/c Monday 1^st December). 

December 1^st is exactly 20 weeks before marathon season begins and allows runners enough time to complete a safe and sustainable 20-week marathon training plan.  

Pre-Christmas Marathon Training Plan  

From the start of December, the running experts at PureGym are advising those training for a marathon in spring 2026 to focus the next four weeks on building up an aerobic base, allowing plenty of time for rest and recovery. 

Their plan, available to download on the PureGym website, is aimed at novice runners and suggests the following steps between now and Christmas: 

Week 1 | 8 miles total 

Three sessions: 1 x 2 mile easy run, 1 x 2 mile easy run and 4 miles easy longer run.  

Week 2 | 10 miles total 

Three sessions, 1 x 2 mile easy run, 1 x 3 mile Fartlek run and 5 miles easy longer run.  

Week 3 | 13 miles total 

Three sessions, 1 x 3 mile easy run, 1 x interval session 3-4 miles, and 6-7 miles easy longer run.  

Week 4 | 14 miles total 

Three sessions, 1 x 3 mile easy run, 1 x 4 mile progressive run, and 7 miles easy longer run.  

Terminology:  

• Easy run = Uses 3/10 of your personal effort levels, you should be able to carry a conversation whilst running at this pace 

• Fartlek run = Means ‘speedplay’ in Swedish and is a session where you play around with different running speeds to help boost your different energy systems.  

• Interval session = Similar to Fartlek sessions but have more structure 

• Progressive run = Where you progressively build your pace throughout the run, starting easy and ending with a faster harder pace 

When to start training for popular UK marathons  

Lauren Hall, Personal Trainer at PureGym Liverpool, says:  

“April may seem like a long time away, but runners need to be training for the event they have set, now. Taking on a longer running distance challenge, like a marathon, is achievable but consistent training is required. It helps to spread out your training without overdoing it and risking injury with a shorter timeframe, a marathon is both a physical and mental battle, you also need enough time to overcome mental obstacles the closer the race becomes and training runs become longer and harder. The secret ingredient in marathon training really is consistency, and those who commit and stick to a realistic plan will have a much more enjoyable experience on race day.”