Princess Half Marathon
19-Week Princess Half
Marathon Training Plan
The full 19-week plan for the Princess Half Marathon. Progressive long runs, back-to-back weekend sessions, Magic Mile pace tests, and 57 structured sessions — all free, in your browser.
19
weeks
57
sessions
3
days/week
Free
no paywall
Who is this plan for?
Runners with some base fitness
You can run or run-walk for 30–40 minutes and are ready to commit 19 weeks to building toward a half marathon.
Princess Half Marathon entrants
You've entered the race and want a structured plan that builds backward from your specific race date.
Runners stepping up from 10K
The natural progression from the 10K plan — more long run volume and the introduction of back-to-back weekend training.
Goal-driven beginners
Newer runners who have a half marathon as a goal and enough time (19 weeks) to prepare for it properly.
Plan breakdown
Three sessions per week throughout. The long run becomes the anchor of the plan from week five onwards.
Weeks 1–4
Foundation
Build consistency with three sessions per week. Easy run-walk efforts — nothing too demanding. The goal is to establish the training habit.
Weeks 5–9
Building base
Long runs grow each week. Midweek sessions add cadence drills and hill efforts to build strength. First Magic Mile time trial.
Weeks 10–14
Back-to-back training begins
Long runs are now followed by shorter recovery sessions the next morning. Your longest runs of the plan arrive in this block. Pace is improving — Magic Mile confirms it.
Weeks 15–17
Peak and consolidate
The most demanding weeks. Long runs reach their maximum distance. Back-to-back sessions are consistent. The work you have done across 15 weeks has built you for this.
Weeks 18–19
Taper and race
Reduced volume to let your body absorb the training and arrive at race day fresh. Shorter sessions maintain fitness without adding fatigue.
Common questions
- How long is the Princess Half Marathon training plan?
- 19 weeks, with 57 structured sessions across three training days per week. The plan includes a race-week taper at the end.
- What is the pace requirement for the Princess Half Marathon?
- Current runDisney race policies require participants to maintain a 16-minute-per-mile pace. Always check the official runDisney event information before race weekend, as policies may change.
- What are back-to-back sessions?
- Back-to-back sessions are consecutive weekend runs — a longer run on Saturday and a shorter run on Sunday. They train your body to run on already-fatigued legs, which is exactly what race day demands after the warm-up, travel, and early start.
- Do I need to have run a 10K to start this plan?
- Some running base helps. If you can comfortably run or run-walk for 30–40 minutes, the 19-week plan's early weeks will feel manageable. Complete beginners should start with the 5K or 10K plan first.
- When should I start training for the Princess Half Marathon?
- The plan is 19 weeks. For a February race weekend, you'd begin training in early October. Enter your race date in Glass Slipper Run and the plan is built backward from that date automatically.
- What if I am starting partway through the plan?
- Glass Slipper works out where you are in the programme and focuses your dashboard on the training still ahead. Earlier sessions remain visible for context but do not count against your progress.
Related guides
How to Train for the Princess Half Marathon
A beginner's overview of the 19-week plan — what a training week looks like and how run-walk-run gets you to the finish line.
Read guide →Zone 2 Training for Runners
Why keeping easy runs genuinely easy builds more endurance than running every session at moderate effort.
Read guide →Running Drills to Improve Form
Five drills to practise coordination and running movement — and how they fit into the midweek drill sessions.
Read guide →Ready to start?
Create your free account, enter your race date, and your full 19-week plan is built automatically. No download, no credit card.
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