von Lars Bodendiek•14/11/2024•4 Minuten
Half marathons are very popular in Germany and, alongside fun runs, are among the most popular running distances of all. The fascination of running a half marathon is driven by two main factors: On the one hand, the distance of 21.1 kilometers is considered challenging but doable - in contrast to a marathon, which many runners find almost impossible. On the other hand, a half marathon is significantly longer than a fun run and therefore offers a demanding challenge for anyone who wants to go beyond 10 kilometers.
But how long is a half marathon exactly, and what time is considered "good"? We address these and many other questions about the half marathon distance in this article.
The distance of an officially measured half marathon is exactly 21.1 km. This makes a half marathon the perfect symbiosis for balancing endurance and speed.
There is no really general answer to this question, as training depends heavily on the physical requirements of a participant. As a rule, however, training plans for a half marathon last 10 to 12 weeks.
You should definitely not attempt a half marathon if you are untrained, as the strain on the body is simply too great, which also means a higher risk of injury. If you can already run 10 km to 14 km at a time and manage a weekly workload of around 25 km per week, a training plan of 10 to 12 weeks is ideal for you.
The answer to this question depends largely on your training level. Most target times are between 1:45 hours and 2:15 hours. 1:45 hours is actually intended for well-trained or very ambitious runners. Beginners are more likely to be in the 2:15 hour range.
The answer: everywhere! There is hardly a larger city in Germany, Austria or Switzerland where a half marathon is not held. Either as a single competition or as part of a running event in which various distances are offered. In our running calendar alone, there are well over 150 dates for half marathons, stretching from Kiel to Munich.
Overall, a half marathon is one of the more expensive running events and is just under the price of a marathon. The price range is usually somewhere between 40 euros and 60 euros, as is the case with the Berlin Half Marathon. It is important that the earlier you book your ticket for a half marathon, the cheaper it is to take part.
If you are training specifically for a half marathon, the last stress test should take place around four to five days before the half marathon. This way, you can be sure that your body can recover sufficiently and that you can start at your full potential.
Training for a half marathon is very varied and usually consists of three training sessions per week. These are divided into 40 to 60 minute endurance runs, alternative training such as swimming and interval training. The regeneration phase is very important here to protect your body from overload.
The key word here is: regeneration. Running a half marathon against the clock under competitive conditions can sometimes be very exhausting. So give your body a long rest after a half marathon. You can do without endurance sports altogether for five days after a half marathon.
When buying a running shoe for a half marathon, you should consider three things. The running shoe should be lightweight, it should offer a healthy balance of comfort and reactivation and it should ensure sufficient stability. In addition, it should of course be very breathable.
The answer to this question is very clear: Make sure you clarify this with your GP beforehand. He is the only one who can give you an honest answer to this question. To avoid any health risks, you should definitely listen to your GP and, if in doubt, cancel the planned half marathon after a cold. The good news: the next half marathon is guaranteed to be just around the corner.
