Rotterdam Marathon · 11 April 2027
Rotterdam Marathon training plan: your plan for 11 April 2027
Running a marathon is on a lot of people's bucket list. Rotterdam is known for its flat course and the crowds along the road. With 42Runs you build a plan that fits your week and takes you step by step to the finish.
Build my plan See an example week ↓
Key facts
- Race
- Sunday, 11 April 2027
- Your plan
- 16 weeks (beginners: 20 weeks)
- Start
- Monday, 21 December 2026
- Countdown
- 11 April 2027
Who is this plan for?
There are two routes to the finish line, depending on where you are now. Pick the route that fits you.
Train by pace, heart rate or feel
In the app you choose how you steer your workouts. All three work; which fits best depends on you.
Pace
You get pace ranges in min/km, worked out from your threshold pace. Handy when you know your pace well and train on a flat course.
Heart rate
You get ranges in beats per minute, from your threshold heart rate. Handy with hills, heat or wind, where pace can mislead you.
Feel (RPE)
You run by effort: a zone from easy to hard, without numbers. Handy when you're new to it or don't know your threshold yet.
Don't know your threshold heart rate yet? The app estimates it for you, or you choose feel.
How your plan is built
The same four kinds of sessions come back every week. That way you always know what to do.
- 1
Easy run
Most of your kilometres: so easy that you can still talk. This builds your endurance.
- 2
Quality session
Intervals or a tempo run. Shorter and faster, once or twice a week.
- 3
Long run
Your key session. It grows towards the race, and you practise marathon pace on tired legs.
- 4
Rest
Rest days are when you get stronger. In the last weeks you taper, so you stand fresh at the start.
A week for beginners
The beginner plan has 4 training days a week: two quality sessions, an easy run and the long run. You train by feel (RPE). You choose which days you run in the app.
Week 10 of the beginner plan
Choose how many days you train
The 16-week plan adapts to your week. Pick how many days a week you can or want to train, and see what a week looks like. The 20-week beginner plan has 4 training days a week.
Fewer sessions a week, with the long run as the key session.
One long run, two quality sessions and easy runs in between.
More easy miles, spread over almost every day of the week.
Week 2 of your plan
Week 10 of your plan
Week 2 of your plan
Week 10 of your plan
Week 2 of your plan
Week 10 of your plan
This is what a week can look like. It's a real week from the plan, with the workout names as they are in the plan. In this example the long run is on Sunday: you choose which day it falls on.
When do you start?
A 16-week plan that ends on race day starts on Monday, 21 December 2026. If you start later, the app can give you a shorter plan: you can still begin up to 12 weeks before the race (Monday, 18 January 2027). With fewer than 12 weeks the app no longer offers a full marathon plan.
When do you start?
A 20-week beginner plan that ends on race day starts on Monday, 23 November 2026. With fewer than 20 weeks to the race, the app no longer offers the beginner plan.
What pace fits your goal time?
Enter your goal time and see your pace per kilometre and your split times when you run evenly.
This is your race pace, not your training pace. The app works out your training paces and heart-rate zones from your own threshold.
Connect your watch
Connect your watch and your workouts appear on it, so you don't have to remember them. 42Runs works with Garmin, Apple Watch, Suunto, COROS, Amazfit and Polar. Polar can't receive planned workouts yet, and what each brand supports exactly differs.
Ready for your bucket-list marathon?
Leave your email address. We'll send you your choices and what to do next: download the app, create an account with this address and answer a few questions. Then your plan is ready.
We only use your address for this email and keep your choices for 60 days. See the privacy policy. →
Ready to start? Download 42Runs.
Frequently asked questions
Can I still start if the marathon is 10 weeks away?
The app offers a marathon plan from 12 weeks before the race; the beginner plan needs at least 20 weeks. If it's closer than that, pick a later race or build a base first with a gentle build-up.
Is this plan suitable for my first marathon?
Yes, there is a 20-week beginner plan for that: 4 training days a week, you train by feel (RPE) and need no pace or heart rate. It starts on Monday, 23 November 2026. The 16-week plan is for people who already run regularly. If you are only just starting to run, build a base first, for example with the free Couch to 5K plan in the app.
How many days a week should I train?
That's your choice: 2–3, 4–5 or 6–7 days a week. Each choice has its own plan with a long run every week. You choose which day your long run falls on. The beginner plan has 4 training days a week.
Why 16 weeks?
It gives you enough time to build up steadily. The plan starts with short, fast sessions before the long distances get heavier, and runs all the way to race day. The beginner plan takes 20 weeks because it builds up even more gently.
Does it work with my watch?
Structured workouts can be sent straight to your watch. 42Runs works with Garmin, Apple Watch, Suunto, COROS, Amazfit and Polar. Polar can't receive planned workouts yet, and what each brand supports exactly differs.
Can I try the plan for free?
You can start for free: Couch to 5K and building your own workouts stay free, and you can try a plan from the library for two weeks. The full plan and performance metrics need Pro. All prices are on the homepage.
Marathon training plan, 4–5 days a week · Half marathon training plan
42Runs is not affiliated with the organisers of the Rotterdam Marathon. We use the name to describe which race this plan is meant for.