Marathon Plan Intermediate - L3
Frequently Asked Questions
Are the training plans in miles or kilometers?
Are the training plans in miles or kilometers?
We have written the training plans in both miles and kms, both of which are included in the PDF file so you can refer to whichever one suits you.
The pace charts are also in miles and km's too.
How will I receive my plan?
How will I receive my plan?
You will receive an email with a link to download your plan straight after purchase.
You can also click a link on the checkout success page.
This will download the PDF file to your computer, tablet or phone.
What format do the training plans come in?
What format do the training plans come in?
The plans are a downloadable PDF file which you can view on any device or print off.
You will be emailed the link to download your plan.
Please note the plan can only be downloaded a maximum of 5 times.
I feel I am in between two training plans, which one should I go for?
I feel I am in between two training plans, which one should I go for?
Each plan gives the number of days of training per week, so we’d advise going for the one which best fits in with your current lifestyle and commitments.
Also consider the number of miles or km's for the first week and peak week and compare that figure to where you are currently.
The best success will come from following a plan that is achievable given your lifestyle and current fitness.
Customer Reviews
This is the first time I used an actual plan, and was pleased with how clear it was to follow and sticking with the pace zones in training was new to me. The training block paid off and I went from 3:24 in Paris(flat) to 3:20(hilly) in Dublin. Biggest difference was the strength I felt so the whole experience was more enjoyable at the end. Would highly recommend
In December 2023 in Valencia, I ran my first marathon in 3h50m. In July 2024, I completed my second marathon with the same approach and beat my PR, finishing in 3h43m. Although I was pleased with the improvement, I felt I could achieve even more. So, I bought the Intermediate Marathon Plan from Ben and ran my third marathon in September 2024.
I managed to crush my previous PR, setting a new one at 3h31m. In the last 2 kilometers, I was still full of energy! This method made me stronger and faster. Thank you, Ben Parkes!
Thanks Ben and Sarah, loved the plan! Achieved a 3:28:50 PB at the 2024 Toronto Waterfront Marathon. I thought the structure of the long runs were great and prepared me for the challenges ahead.
First Marathon at Twin Cities in MN, USA!
3:28:48
I felt very prepared for my first 26.2 using this plan. I highly recommend it.
Helloeverybody!! I've purchased this plan from Ben's website and I'm applying it to my training to prepare my first road marathon, since I've run many half marathons and some trail ultras, but I've never tried to run a proper marathon. We'll see the effects but I want to thank Ben and Sarah for the contents they are creating and the smiles that their videos always produce on me!
Here one pic of me running today in my hometown Turin (Torino), Italy. See you on to the next one!
I wanted to improve my Marathon time and needed a plan that was easy to understand and challenging to make me improve. Bens L3plan & strength plan has proven to be just what I required. I would recommend to other runners who want to follow a good training plan 👍 I am targeting the Brighton Marathon 2025 for a sub 3:30 🤞.
As an experienced runner with more than 9 years running, I was finally looking to take on the full marathon. I chose the ambitious goal of 03:45:00 and thanks to this plan I excelled and on the day had what it took to go even faster resulting in 03:43:23.
The plan its self is no way a picnic and at times it was brutal but stick with it as the results are worth it.
My one thing to suggest to Ben for improvement would be to change the interval from minutes to K's and Miles as that's how I work but I understand its very subjective and I appreciated the two versions of the plan allowing me to work in Kilometers where others can work the same plan in Miles.
Overall would certainly recommend this plan!
And if you're reading this before beginning your training then good luck!
A huge thank you to Ben and team!
I went for the intermediate marathon training plan as I'm targeting 03:45'ish. My last marathon with a different plan was was fairly hard to stick to & a bit too advanced for me. I'll be using this plan for Yorkshire marathon 2024 Oct. Looking at the plan it's really simple to understand & read with colour coded runs highlighting easy steady+ harder workouts. The plan can be flexible to fit around my 12hr shifts etc. very happy & will be starting training in July. 5stars out of 5 . Thanks 👍🏼
3:13:02 with 1,800 ft (550m) elevation gain!!! This was my third ever marathon, after completing my first two several years ago with no training plans at all. I also trained for two other marathons in the past but injured myself in the weeks leading up to the race due to poor pacing in workouts. Using the intermediate training plan and the strength and conditioning throughout for this build made it engaging and kept me focused. I only missed one workout due to sickness and was never feeling even close to any injury or over fatigued even during the peak weeks. The training plan format was ideal for me including the speed workouts and the recovery weeks. I'm planning on using the in-between races plan and then the level 4 advanced plan to hit my BQ in California at CIM. Thank you for everything Ben and Sarah.
The plan was really easy to follow and very informative. I really enjoyed the sessions and the S&C workouts. I hit my goal and went from a 3:59 to a 3:27 at Newport Marathon. I'd happily recommend these plans to anyone and will be trying the in-between plans once recovered. A huge thank you Ben and the team at benparkes.com, I couldn't have got that PB without you😊
Customer Reviews
This is the first time I used an actual plan, and was pleased with how clear it was to follow and sticking with the pace zones in training was new to me. The training block paid off and I went from 3:24 in Paris(flat) to 3:20(hilly) in Dublin. Biggest difference was the strength I felt so the whole experience was more enjoyable at the end. Would highly recommend
In December 2023 in Valencia, I ran my first marathon in 3h50m. In July 2024, I completed my second marathon with the same approach and beat my PR, finishing in 3h43m. Although I was pleased with the improvement, I felt I could achieve even more. So, I bought the Intermediate Marathon Plan from Ben and ran my third marathon in September 2024.
I managed to crush my previous PR, setting a new one at 3h31m. In the last 2 kilometers, I was still full of energy! This method made me stronger and faster. Thank you, Ben Parkes!
Thanks Ben and Sarah, loved the plan! Achieved a 3:28:50 PB at the 2024 Toronto Waterfront Marathon. I thought the structure of the long runs were great and prepared me for the challenges ahead.
First Marathon at Twin Cities in MN, USA!
3:28:48
I felt very prepared for my first 26.2 using this plan. I highly recommend it.
Helloeverybody!! I've purchased this plan from Ben's website and I'm applying it to my training to prepare my first road marathon, since I've run many half marathons and some trail ultras, but I've never tried to run a proper marathon. We'll see the effects but I want to thank Ben and Sarah for the contents they are creating and the smiles that their videos always produce on me!
Here one pic of me running today in my hometown Turin (Torino), Italy. See you on to the next one!
I wanted to improve my Marathon time and needed a plan that was easy to understand and challenging to make me improve. Bens L3plan & strength plan has proven to be just what I required. I would recommend to other runners who want to follow a good training plan 👍 I am targeting the Brighton Marathon 2025 for a sub 3:30 🤞.
As an experienced runner with more than 9 years running, I was finally looking to take on the full marathon. I chose the ambitious goal of 03:45:00 and thanks to this plan I excelled and on the day had what it took to go even faster resulting in 03:43:23.
The plan its self is no way a picnic and at times it was brutal but stick with it as the results are worth it.
My one thing to suggest to Ben for improvement would be to change the interval from minutes to K's and Miles as that's how I work but I understand its very subjective and I appreciated the two versions of the plan allowing me to work in Kilometers where others can work the same plan in Miles.
Overall would certainly recommend this plan!
And if you're reading this before beginning your training then good luck!
A huge thank you to Ben and team!
I went for the intermediate marathon training plan as I'm targeting 03:45'ish. My last marathon with a different plan was was fairly hard to stick to & a bit too advanced for me. I'll be using this plan for Yorkshire marathon 2024 Oct. Looking at the plan it's really simple to understand & read with colour coded runs highlighting easy steady+ harder workouts. The plan can be flexible to fit around my 12hr shifts etc. very happy & will be starting training in July. 5stars out of 5 . Thanks 👍🏼
3:13:02 with 1,800 ft (550m) elevation gain!!! This was my third ever marathon, after completing my first two several years ago with no training plans at all. I also trained for two other marathons in the past but injured myself in the weeks leading up to the race due to poor pacing in workouts. Using the intermediate training plan and the strength and conditioning throughout for this build made it engaging and kept me focused. I only missed one workout due to sickness and was never feeling even close to any injury or over fatigued even during the peak weeks. The training plan format was ideal for me including the speed workouts and the recovery weeks. I'm planning on using the in-between races plan and then the level 4 advanced plan to hit my BQ in California at CIM. Thank you for everything Ben and Sarah.
The plan was really easy to follow and very informative. I really enjoyed the sessions and the S&C workouts. I hit my goal and went from a 3:59 to a 3:27 at Newport Marathon. I'd happily recommend these plans to anyone and will be trying the in-between plans once recovered. A huge thank you Ben and the team at benparkes.com, I couldn't have got that PB without you😊
