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Marathon training plan · Valencia · December
Valencia 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 Valencia Marathon, start a 16-week block in mid-August. 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 Valencia Marathon plan for €60.
What do I need to know about the Valencia Marathon?
- Usually held on a Sunday in early December.
- Finishes on a raised blue walkway over water at the City of Arts and Sciences.
- A very flat and fast course, and one of the most popular PB races in Europe.
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 Valencia Marathon plan look like?
Four phases, each with a clear job. Counting back 16 weeks from a December race means starting in mid-August. 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 start in mid-August and run through the autumn. The early weeks may be hot, and the build-up crosses the darker evenings of October and November. The taper ends just before the Christmas period.
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 Valencia Marathon course like?
Valencia is very flat, with long straight sections and a fast finish into the City of Arts and Sciences. There's nothing to hold back for on the course, so it's all about pacing and fuelling.
Typical weather
Early December in Valencia is usually cool and suits fast running, but it can be humid, sunny or breezy. Have a plan for a mild day as well as a cool one.
Pacing strategy
Run the first half at goal pace and resist the pull of faster runners around you. Valencia is a big, fast field, so lots of people go out too quickly. The last 10 km is where a patient race pays off.
Want this plan written for you? €60 one-off
Martin will write your personal Valencia 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.
Valencia Marathon training FAQs
When should I start training for the Valencia Marathon?
For an early-December race, start a 16-week block in mid-August. Build a base of regular easy running from May to August.
Is Valencia a fast marathon?
Yes. It's very flat and is one of the fastest marathon courses in the world. Pacing discipline is the main thing to get right.
Can I train through the summer for Valencia?
Yes. The early weeks may be hot, so run easy and long sessions early in the day. The marathon-specific phase falls in the cooler autumn months.
More marathon training plans
London Marathon · Berlin Marathon · Amsterdam Marathon · Rotterdam Marathon
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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