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Marathon training plan · Berlin · September
Berlin Marathon Training Plan: A 16-Week Guide
A 16-week structure you can follow, plus course, weather and pacing advice, from Martin Williams: former GB marathon runner (2:17:36) and Edinburgh Marathon winner.
In short
To train for the Berlin Marathon, start a 16-week block in early June. Move through four phases: base, build, marathon-specific and taper. Practise fuelling in long runs and pace the first half evenly. For a plan written for your goal and week, Runners Route offers a personal Berlin Marathon plan for €60.
What do I need to know about the Berlin Marathon?
- Usually held on a Sunday in late September.
- A loop through central Berlin, finishing just after the Brandenburg Gate.
- One of the flattest and fastest marathon courses in the world. Several marathon world records have been set there.
- One of the World Marathon Majors, with a very large field.
Always check the latest date, start times and course map on the official race website before you plan your block.
What does a 16-week Berlin Marathon plan look like?
Four phases, each with a clear job. Counting back 16 weeks from a September race means starting in early June. The sessions below are a typical shape. Your own paces and volume depend on your fitness and goal.
| Weeks | Phase | Key sessions | Long run |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1–4 | Base | Mostly easy running, strides and short hill sprints. One steady run a week. Long run builds by time on feet. Strength work twice a week. | Long run 60–90 min |
| 5–8 | Build | One threshold session a week (for example 5 × 6 minutes at threshold with 1 minute jog) and one hill session. Week 8 is an easier week. | Long run up to 1 h 45–2 h |
| 9–13 | Marathon-specific | Marathon pace becomes the key session, inside long runs and on its own. Fuelling is practised exactly as on race day. A tune-up half marathon in week 10 or 11 helps set goal pace. | Long run up to 2 h 30–3 h, with marathon-pace blocks |
| 14–16 | Taper and race | Volume comes down by roughly 20%, then 40%, then race week. Short marathon-pace sessions keep you sharp. Carbohydrate intake goes up in the last two to three days. | Long run shortens each week |
Most of the running is easy
Around four in every five runs should feel comfortable enough to hold a conversation. Easy running builds the aerobic base that makes marathon pace sustainable. Running easy days too hard is the most common reason runners arrive tired on race day. Use the pace calculator to set easy, threshold and marathon paces from a recent race.
When the 16 weeks fall
Your 16 weeks run through June, July and August, so most training happens in summer heat and around holidays. Run early or late in the day, drink well, and expect paces to be slower in the heat. The block is planned around your holidays from the start.
Fuelling
Practise taking gels or drinks in every long run over 90 minutes and in every marathon-pace session. Use the same products you plan to use on the day, so your stomach is trained as well as your legs.
What is the Berlin Marathon course like?
Berlin is very flat, with gentle bends and wide roads. There are no hills to plan for, which is why it suits PB attempts. With a large field, the first few kilometres can be crowded, so start in the right wave and don't weave.
Typical weather
Late September in Berlin is often cool in the morning, which is ideal. Some years have been warm and sunny, so practise your fuelling and drinking plan in summer long runs.
Pacing strategy
Berlin rewards even pacing. Run the first half at goal pace or a few seconds slower, stay patient through 30 km, and use the flat final kilometres and the Brandenburg Gate to finish strong.
Want this plan written for you? €60 one-off
Martin will write your personal Berlin Marathon schedule (up to 16 weeks) from a consultation about your goal time, training history and the days you can train. Want ongoing support? Monthly coaching is €60 or €99, with no minimum term.
or book a free consultation first. In the UK? Coaching is from £50 a month. See marathon coaching.
Which plan is right for me?
Three ways to work with Martin, priced in euros. Not sure which fits? Book a free consultation first and you'll get an honest recommendation.
One-off
Marathon Plan
€60 one-off
- Personal marathon schedule of up to 16 weeks
- Built from a consultation about your race and goal time
- Written around the days you can actually train
- Best for confident, self-motivated runners
Monthly · no minimum term
Coaching
€60 / month
- Your plan in the RunnersRoute training app
- Regular updates and changes to your plan
- A monthly video review call with Martin
- Cancel any time
Monthly · no minimum term
Premium Coaching
€99 / month
- Everything in Coaching
- A free running form assessment (15+ page report, normally €99+)
- Fortnightly video review calls and WhatsApp access between calls
- A strength and conditioning programme built into your plan
No minimum term: both monthly plans are cancel-any-time. Prices are in euros and paid securely by card through Stripe. Coaching is in English.
Berlin Marathon training FAQs
When should I start training for the Berlin Marathon?
For a late-September race, start the 16-week block in early June. Use March to May to build a base of regular easy running.
Is Berlin a good marathon for a PB?
Yes. It's very flat and fast, and several world records have been set there. Even pacing and a good start position matter more than any course feature.
How do I train for Berlin in summer heat?
Run key sessions early or late in the day, drink well, and judge effort rather than pace on hot days. Paces will feel easier again as the weather cools in September.
More marathon training plans
London Marathon · Valencia Marathon · Amsterdam Marathon · Rotterdam Marathon
Back to online marathon coaching · coaching in Europe · running form analysis
Talk to Martin about your race
Tell him your goal time and how your week looks. You'll get an honest recommendation.
Last updated: October 2026