20-Week Marathon Training Plan: High-Volume Schedule
A high-volume 20-week marathon plan for runners with time to train: 3–6 sessions a week, building to a 3-hour long session. Every week is below. Or let SportPlan build it around your schedule and race date.
26.2 miles / 42.195 km
Before the taper phase, this high-volume schedule contains 5.3–7.5 hours a week. The complete range below also includes the taper weeks.
20 weeks · 1.8–7.5 hours a week · 3–6 sessions per week · longest session 180 min
Take this goal into the plan builder and choose the schedule that fits your week.
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Week-by-week schedule
| Week | Phase | Sessions | Weekly total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Week 1 | Base |
| 349 min · 6 sessions |
| Week 2 | Base |
| 356 min · 6 sessions |
| Week 3 | Base |
| 396 min · 5 sessions |
| Week 4 | Base |
| 319 min · 6 sessions |
| Week 5 | Base |
| 395 min · 6 sessions |
| Week 6 | Build |
| 395 min · 6 sessions |
| Week 7 | Build |
| 410 min · 6 sessions |
| Week 8 | Build |
| 349 min · 6 sessions |
| Week 9 | Build |
| 415 min · 6 sessions |
| Week 10 | Build |
| 435 min · 6 sessions |
| Week 11 | Build |
| 435 min · 6 sessions |
| Week 12 | Specific |
| 349 min · 6 sessions |
| Week 13 | Specific |
| 450 min · 6 sessions |
| Week 14 | Specific |
| 435 min · 6 sessions |
| Week 15 | Specific |
| 410 min · 6 sessions |
| Week 16 | Specific |
| 324 min · 5 sessions |
| Week 17 | Taper |
| 415 min · 6 sessions |
| Week 18 | Taper |
| 355 min · 5 sessions |
| Week 19 | Taper |
| 268 min · 5 sessions |
| Week 20 | Taper |
| 108 min · 3 sessions |
Take this goal into the plan builder and choose the schedule that fits your week.
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Questions about this schedule
How long is this schedule?
The complete schedule contains 20 weeks.
How many sessions are scheduled each week?
The schedule contains 3–6 sessions per week, counting every listed session, including strength and mobility when present.
How long is the longest session?
The longest scheduled training session is 180 minutes. Race day has no estimated duration in this table.
What do the final weeks contain?
The final three weeks all belong to the taper phase. Their complete sessions and durations are listed in the schedule.
Plans by target time
Choose your week count
By sport and distance
- 5K Training Plan for Beginners: 6-Week Schedule
- Couch to 5K Training Plan: 10-Week Schedule
- 10K Training Plan: 10-Week and 8-Week Schedules
- 5K to 10K Training Plan: 16-Week Schedule
- Couch to 10K Training Plan: 18-Week Schedule
- Cycling Training Plan: 10-Week and 12-Week Schedules
- Olympic Triathlon Training Plan: 12-Week Schedule
- Sprint Triathlon Training Plan: 8-Week Schedule
- 70.3 Triathlon Training Plan: 16-Week Half Distance
- Trail Running Training Plan: 12-Week Schedule
- 50K Trail Training Plan: 16-Week Schedule
Calculators and race calendars
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This is a general template, not medical advice; check with a doctor before you start a new training load.