Best Half Marathon Training App For 13.1 Miles
We ran the same eight apps through a 12 week block. Here is the honest ranking, what each one does best, and the plan you can copy whichever app you pick.
Who this guide is for
You signed up for a half marathon, or you are thinking about it, and you want an app to hand you the plan. This page ranks the eight training apps that actually work, shows the pace and mileage you should be hitting each week, and helps you pair the plan with a motivation layer so you do not fall off in week 6. Every app here was tested on iPhone. Several also work on Android and watchOS.
The 8 Half Marathon Apps, Ranked
Runna
Best adaptive planDynamic pace targets that adjust to your fitness every week.
Nike Run Club
Best free pickCoach Bennett talks you through every run with zero ads.
Garmin Coach
Best for Garmin ownersFree structured plan pushed directly to your Garmin watch.
Adidas Running
Best for beginnersGentle ramp with walk breaks baked into early weeks.
Runkeeper
Best for simple trackingClean interface, solid audio cues, no fluff.
Hal Higdon
Best plan libraryThe gold standard plans used by hundreds of thousands of runners.
Strava Summit
Best for communitySocial pressure from your feed is a real motivator.
Motera
Best for consistencyEvery run captures territory on a real map so training feels like a game.
The 12 Week Plan Inside These Apps
Every mainstream half marathon plan looks roughly like this. If your app is missing cutback weeks or peaks over 12 miles, switch apps.
| Week | Long Run | Total Mileage | Focus |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 4 mi | 12 mi | Base week, two easy, one tempo |
| 2 | 5 mi | 14 mi | Add first hill repeats |
| 3 | 6 mi | 16 mi | Introduce race pace segments |
| 4 | 5 mi | 13 mi | Cutback week, recover |
| 5 | 7 mi | 18 mi | Long run past 10K |
| 6 | 8 mi | 20 mi | Tempo extends to 3 miles |
| 7 | 9 mi | 22 mi | Peak mid block intensity |
| 8 | 7 mi | 17 mi | Cutback, sharpen |
| 9 | 10 mi | 24 mi | Double digit long run |
| 10 | 11 mi | 26 mi | Peak mileage week |
| 11 | 12 mi | 24 mi | Final long before taper |
| 12 | 6 mi + race | 18 mi | Taper and race day |
How To Pick The Right App For You
Plan duration
Longer is not always better. Beginners need 16 weeks, experienced runners can sharpen in 10.
Adaptivity
Static PDF plans ignore a rough week. Runna and Garmin Coach actually shift the plan when you miss a session.
Session variety
Look for tempo, intervals, long runs, and easy days. Any plan that is only long runs will stall.
Recovery logic
Good apps build in cutback weeks every 3 to 4 weeks. Skip the app that just stacks mileage.
The half marathon kills people in week 6, not week 12
Every plan looks good on day one. Week 6 is when rain, work, and low motivation kick in. Motera makes every training run feel like a move in a game. You capture territory, defend it from other runners, and watch your city light up as you put miles in. Same plan. Much higher chance you finish it.
Download Motera
What a typical week looks like
- Monday: Rest or cross train. Walk, yoga, swim. No guilt.
- Tuesday: Intervals. 6 x 400m at 5K pace with 2 min jog recovery.
- Wednesday: Easy 3 to 4 miles at conversational pace.
- Thursday: Tempo. 20 minutes at half marathon pace sandwiched between warm up and cool down.
- Friday: Rest or 30 minute shakeout jog.
- Saturday: Long run. Slow. One minute per mile slower than goal race pace.
- Sunday: Easy recovery run or full rest, your choice.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best half marathon training app?
Runna is the most popular paid pick because it adapts plans to your pace, fitness, and race date. Nike Run Club is the best free option with a proper guided 12 week plan. Garmin Coach works if you already own a Garmin watch. Motera layers game mechanics on top of any plan so you actually stick to it.
How many weeks do I need to train for a half marathon?
Most apps default to 12 weeks for runners who can already run 3 to 4 miles. Absolute beginners should pick a 16 week plan that bakes in a 5K base. Experienced runners targeting a sub 1 hour 45 can run a sharper 10 week cycle.
Are half marathon training apps worth it?
Yes if you struggle with consistency or pacing. The value is not the plan itself, it is the structure that tells you exactly what to run today, adjusts when you skip a session, and keeps you from doing every run too fast.
Can I train for a half marathon for free?
Yes. Nike Run Club offers a full 12 week guided audio plan at no cost. Adidas Running has a free structured plan. Hal Higdon publishes free PDFs you can load into any run tracker. Pair a free plan with Motera for accountability and capture based motivation.
How long should my longest run be before a half marathon?
Most plans peak at 10 to 12 miles two to three weeks before race day, then taper. You do not need to run the full 13.1 miles in training. Race day adrenaline and tapered legs cover the last mile or so.
Which app has the best audio coaching?
Nike Run Club has the richest catalog with Coach Bennett and guest runners. Runna has structured audio cues that call out pace targets during intervals. Runkeeper has a lighter audio cue system for splits and pace.
Do I need a GPS watch or is a phone enough?
Phone is enough. A watch adds convenience and heart rate data, but every major half marathon training app runs fully on iPhone. Many runners train with the phone in an armband and only use a watch on race day.
What if I miss a week of training?
Most adaptive apps will shift you back one week or compress the next block. The wrong move is to cram two weeks of mileage into one. Runna, Garmin Coach, and Nike Run Club all handle missed weeks gracefully.
Can a beginner use these apps?
Yes. Runna, Nike Run Club, and Adidas Running all have beginner specific half marathon plans that assume you are starting from a 5K base. Pair these with a run walk approach in the first four weeks if needed.
How do I stay motivated during a 12 week block?
Stack a training plan with a motivation layer. Motera turns every training run into territory you capture and hold, so even a recovery jog feels like progress. Plans tell you what to run, Motera tells your brain why today matters.
