Simply put, a marathon is a fairly long, endurance foot race. Some ultramarathon events cover over 100 miles while the standard marathon distance is about 26 miles.
But no matter who you are, what your goals are, or how much running experience you have you can complete a marathon, all you need is the right training. Preparing for a marathon is easier now than ever thanks to some excellent training apps. Below are the mobile apps you can use to smash your next marathon and cross the finish line with flying colors!
1. Marathon Trainer
The Marathon Trainer app can take you from marathon zero to marathon hero! It is the ideal mobile app to use if you're a newbie, yet want to push yourself and start training for a full-length marathon. The training program, which is 20 weeks in total, includes running and walking intervals, regular cross-training days, and rest days to try active recovery workouts.
Marathon Trainer's workouts also feature a virtual audio coach that guides you through each changing interval. In addition, during your workout, you can view your total distance and calories burned, and you can enable your GPS to map your running route.
Download: Marathon Trainer for iOS | Android (Free, subscription available)
2. Run With Hal
Run With Hal is one of the best apps and platforms to find online running plans as it uses Hal Higdon's tried and tested coaching approach. Hal Higdon is a well-known runner who is the king of training programs, so you know he can get you across that finish line.
To create a personalized marathon training plan just for you, select the distance of the marathon, the race date, your goal time, and then the plan that best suits your fitness level. From there you can keep track of your training progression, training statistics, and quantity score. Your quantity score meter is key during marathon training as it tells you if you've under-trained or over-trained.
Download: Run With Hal for iOS | Android (Free, subscription available)
3. Half Marathon Trainer
The Half Marathon Trainer is one of the best running apps for beginners. It is essentially the same as the Marathon Trainer mobile app, but it provides a shorter marathon training program at only 14 weeks. For newcomers, it is recommended to start with a half-marathon, as it might be more manageable if you've never done a marathon before.
Over the 14-week program, you'll be progressing from short running and walking intervals to longer running periods and little to no walking breaks. As you move forward in your marathon training you can track activity such as your total runs, total distance, and total calories burned.
Download: Half Marathon Trainer for iOS | Android (Free, subscription available)
4. Runmaster
Monitoring your running and whether it's improving or not is important when you're training for a marathon. The Runmaster app offers a full breakdown of all your running statistics, from your average speed, pace, and steps to your calories, altitude, and heart rate.
Runmaster does not provide a set marathon training plan. However, it does work well if you're already using a training plan and only want to monitor your running activity over your training schedule. Alternatively, you can use the Runmaster app to track other activities such as cycling, hiking, mountain biking, kayaking, and more.
Download: Runmaster for Android (Free, in-app purchases available)
5. Final Surge
Final Surge is an all-in-one athlete training app that can help you prepare for your next marathon. Plus, you can use it to manually upload your daily workouts, track your stats, and monitor your activity, weight, and sleep. Essentially, you can use the Final Surge app to find the perfect training plan for you.
Simply navigate to Training Plans and tap Find a Plan. Here, you can browse through lists and lists of training programs, from online triathlon training plans to cycling training plans. What makes Final Surge's programs unique is that they're all created by different certified coaches. It is important to note that you do have to pay for each plan before you can use it on the Final Surge app.
Download: Final Surge for iOS | Android (Free)
6. Nike Run Club
By using the Nike Run Club app you can track your running workouts in real time, including your pace, BPM, and time. What's more, Nike Run Club also offers guided runs for beginners, speed runs, and treadmill runs. The best bit is that the Nike Run Club app features some of the best marathon training plans.
If you're going for the full 26-mile marathon, try the 18-week marathon training plan. On the other hand, if you're starting small, try the shorter 14-week half-marathon training program instead. Both of these marathon training plans will have you doing a mix of speed runs, long runs, and recovery runs.
Download: Nike Run Club for iOS | Android (Free)
7. Running App
Although Running App does not specifically provide marathon training plans, it is a handy app to download and use while you train. Not only does it keep a record of the distance you've walked and run, but it also actively tracks your pace and calories.
Moreover, you can use the app to match your runs to compare your performance if you often run the same route. This is an awesome feature, especially if you're training for a marathon and want to track your progress over time. Alternatively, there are several different training plans if your goal is to either lose weight or increase your pace and endurance.
Download: Running App for iOS | Android (Free, subscription available)
8. The Daily Run
The Daily Run app features a massive library full of different running challenges, workouts, recovery sessions, and lots more. There's even a marathon and half-marathon training program to get you ready for your race.
The marathon program consists of 16 weeks and 113 sessions while the half-marathon program is only 8 weeks and incorporates bodyweight workouts into your training. For a customized program, plan, or workout, you first have to input your running experience and your primary goal.
Additionally, you can use The Daily Run to track your regular running workouts if you want to improve your time, distance, or pace.
Download: The Daily Run for iOS | Android (Free, subscription available)
Make Your Next Marathon Event a Successful One
There are plenty of excellent reasons to take part in a marathon. And one of the best reasons—besides it being really fun—is that it is a great way to improve your overall health. But training for weeks and months for a marathon is likely the hardest part of completing one.
Whether you're a professional runner or a complete newbie, you might be struggling with figuring out where to begin on your marathon training journey, or maybe you just need a helping hand tracking your runs. Whatever the reason, these are several of the best mobile apps to download and use to help you train for your big race.