
23/07/2025
"Should I run 26.2 miles before my marathon?"
This is one of the most common questions from first-time marathoners—and the short answer is: nope!
Most training plans (even for elites) stop your long runs at 20–22 miles. Why?
Because those final 4–6 miles on race day aren’t about your fitness—they’re about pacing, fueling, and mental strength. Running the full distance in training doesn’t add much benefit... but it does increase the risk of injury and overtraining.
We typically cap people at around 3hrs for their longest run, so the actual distance may vary by athlete, but they aren't making it to 26.2.
You can't just focus only on the weekly long run mileage. If not making it to 26.2 before your marathon freaks you out, try reflecting on your training log and looking at your overall weekly mileage during your peak training.
🏃Even Eliud Kipchoge, the fastest marathoner in history, never runs the full 26.2 in training. His long runs usually max out at 18–22 miles.
So if you’re building to your first marathon, trust the science and trust your training. 👊