Marathon Training Guide: Tips to Help You Run Further, Stronger, Smarter

I think we’ve all just about recovered from the London and Manchester Marathons. If you attended, either as a runner or a spectator, or followed the marathon coverage, you’ll know all about the hype: the crowds, the emotion, the sheer buzz of it all. And if you missed out on a place this year but you’re feeling inspired (or slightly jealous), now’s the perfect time to start training. With the right plan, you can build fitness steadily and be ready to take on 26.2 miles next year.

If you’re already a runner (you’ve nailed your 10ks, maybe you’ve dipped your toe into half-marathon territory), a marathon is the next big itch you’ll want to scratch. But 26.2 miles isn’t just a longer run. It’s a different kind of challenge, one with additional physical and mental challenges (and time constraints too). But the good news is, with a structured training plan, you can achieve anything you set your mind to!

Grangers’ Visual Content Creator, Will, is a marathon runner, triathlon competitor, and HYROX enthusiast. He loves nothing more than putting on his running shoes and ran the Manchester Marathon in 2025 and 2026. Below, he shares his top tips on how to begin your journey all the way through to the starting line.

Build Up Slowly (even if you feel like you could do more)
When you start marathon training, the biggest temptation is to pile the miles on fast. You’ll feel strong at first, but your joints and tendons take longer to adapt than your lungs do. That’s where injuries creep in. Will believes Zone 2 runs are your best friend when you first begin to train. These are steady, low-intensity runs that help to build cardiovascular endurance. This is where the adaptation happens, and you get fitter. A good rule is to increase your weekly mileage gradually, and don’t be afraid of cutback weeks. You’re not ‘slacking’, it’s what lets your body absorb the work you’ve put in. Your long run should creep up steadily over time, and it doesn’t need to be heroic every weekend. Every mile matters.

Mix Up Your Routine (trails are your secret weapon)
If you want stronger legs and better endurance, don’t just stick to flat pavement. Will recommends trail running. Trail running is brilliant for marathon training because it builds stability, balance and mental toughness. It also makes long runs less boring, from the scenery to the wildlife. Hills are your best friend, too, even if they don’t feel like it. A steady hill session once a week will build strength that pays off massively in the later miles of a marathon.

Don’t Skip the Speed Work (it’s not just for 5k runners)
A marathon isn’t a sprint, but it’s also not a slow shuffle (well…ideally). Adding a weekly tempo run or marathon pace session teaches your body what ‘sustainable effort’ feels like. Even something simple like 20 minutes at a comfortably challenging pace can make a huge difference after a few weeks.

Listen to your Body (rest, fuel, hydrate)
Fuel, rest and hydration are a marathon runner’s holy trinity. Your body is a machine; it needs the right fuel to run properly. If you wait until race day to try gels, you’re asking for trouble. Use your long runs to practice fueling. Eat before you’re hungry, drink before you’re thirsty and figure out what your stomach can handle whilst moving. Will can’t stress enough how important it is to take recovery seriously: ‘Listen to your body. Don’t be afraid to miss a day of training if your body needs rest.’

Get Comfortable Running in Bad Weather (it’s unpleasant, but it’s got to be done)
If you’re training outdoors (as you should), you’re going to run in rain, wind, mud, cold mornings and those weird days where it’s somehow humid and freezing at the same time. Learning to deal with rough conditions is half the marathon battle. Some of the best runs can happen in unfavourable weather: it teaches you grit – something you need if you’re going to run a marathon.

Aftercare is Key
At the end of the day, it comes down to having kit that works. Waterproofs that actually repel water, layers that breathe and clothing that doesn’t cling when it’s soaked. Keeping your outdoor gear clean and properly reproofed makes a bigger difference than people realise. Once a jacket wets out, you feel colder, heavier and miserable fast. Grangers’ range of aftercare solutions will clean, reproof and refresh your clothing and footwear, making your runs that little bit easier. From removing stubborn stinks and run-related stains, to weather-proofing your windbreaker and supercharging your sneakers, we’ve got it covered. Check out our Activewear Range here.

Ultimately, you need to remember that you need to be consistent, not perfect. Some runs will feel amazing, some will feel awful, but that’s marathon training! Will’s last top tip is to enjoy the journey. It’s hard but incredibly rewarding. If you build slowly and embrace the miles, you’ll be able to experience the unparalleled thrill of crossing that finish line.

Thanks Will!