Trail & mountain marathon training plans
A trail marathon is not a road marathon with mud. Every HP3 trail plan trains by time on feet, not pace: hill strength, descending skills and hiking are built in alongside the running, so the terrain that breaks race plans becomes the ground you are strongest on. Built by the physio-led HP3 coaching team; delivered through TrainingPeaks.
Choose your race
Trail Marathon
26.2 on real terrain, beginner to experiencedTrail Marathon Beginner – 14 Weeks
Your first trail marathon in 14 weeks: time-based sessions that build climbing, descending and confidence on real terrain without wrecking you.
Mountain / Trail Marathon – 20 Weeks
The full five-month build for a mountain marathon: progressive long runs, hill strength and descending work for whatever the course throws at you.
Trail Marathon Experienced – 7 Weeks (Sharpener)
Under two months out with the base already banked? The late-cycle sharpener that arrives you at the line race-ready.
Shorter Trail Racing
10k to half marathon on the trails10–21km Trail Race – 12 Weeks
Speed and skill for shorter trail racing: twelve weeks of quality on climbs, descents and technical ground, from trail 10k to half marathon.
Strength & Next Steps
Bolt on, build a base, or step up a distanceTrail Strength & Conditioning – 16 Weeks
The periodised gym plan for trail runners: real maximal strength, converted into durability on the climbs and control on the descents.
Build a base first
If a race build feels like too big a jump, start with the Ultra & Trail Base Block or the 12-week Trail/Ultra Base, then come back to your race plan.
Ready to go beyond the marathon
Comfortable at trail marathon distance and eyeing something longer? The ultra catalogue covers first 50k through 100 miles, with fuelling and hiking built in.