Best App for Half Marathon Training (UK 2026)

A half marathon is a brilliant goal. It is far enough to feel like a real challenge, but close enough that most people can get there in a few months of steady training. The right app makes the whole thing simpler by turning 13.1 miles into a plan you can actually follow. Below we compare the best half marathon training apps in the UK for 2026, look at what a good one should do, and explain who each app suits best.

What should a good half marathon training app actually do?

A good half marathon app does more than count your miles. Before you pick one, look for these things:

• A plan matched to your goal time and the days you can actually run.
• Long runs that build up gradually, so you are ready for race day without overdoing it.
• A sensible balance of easy and hard sessions, because most of your running should feel comfortable.
• Strength and mobility support to keep you moving well and lower your injury risk.
• Flexibility for when life gets in the way, so one missed session does not derail the whole programme.

It also helps to know the difference between three kinds of app. A logger records the runs you choose yourself. A plan builder writes a schedule for you. A coached app gives you a real person to ask when you are not sure. The best pick depends on how much guidance you want and what you can spend.

How is Edge different from a running-only app?

Most running apps only look at your running. Edge builds a fully personalised plan across running, strength, HIIT and mobility, ready in 15 minutes, so your easy runs, long runs, strength work and stretching all sit in one place. That matters for a half marathon, because the runners who stay injury free tend to be the ones who do a little strength and mobility alongside the miles.

You can also message a real coach anytime. If a long run clashes with a family weekend or a work trip, you do not have to guess. You can move the session, or ask your coach to adjust the week for you, so the plan flexes around your life rather than the other way round. Edge is free to try with a free 7-day trial, then from £19.99/month, and the emphasis is on staying consistent rather than pushing yourself into the ground.

Is Runna good for half marathon training?

Runna is one of the most popular running apps in the UK, and for good reason. It builds a tailored half marathon plan around your goal, adjusts it as you get fitter or miss a session, and pushes each workout to your watch, with Garmin, Apple Watch, COROS, Suunto and Fitbit all supported. It also includes strength and conditioning and yoga sessions, and you can chat with a real coach for guidance. If you want a running-first app with strong watch integration, it is an excellent choice.

Runna is a paid subscription with a free trial, so check Runna's App Store listing for current UK pricing, as of August 2026. The main difference from Edge is breadth. Edge plans your running alongside strength, HIIT and mobility as one programme, rather than running with strength added on the side.

Are the free apps enough?

For a lot of first-time half marathoners, yes. Three free options stand out.

Nike Run Club is completely free. You pick a race date and it builds a guided plan, with audio coaching in your ears for every run and the choice of three, four or five runs a week. There is no strength or mobility plan, but as a way to get running with encouragement, it is hard to beat for the price.

Garmin Coach is also free and works best if you already have a Garmin watch. Its adaptive half marathon plans are built by named coaches and adjust to the runs you actually complete. There is no subscription and no trial, you simply get the plan.

Run With Hal, from the well known coach Hal Higdon, offers time-tested plans from novice to advanced. The basic schedules are free on his website, and the app has a free version with a paid upgrade for extra features, so check the app's listing for current pricing, as of August 2026.

The trade-off with free apps is that they focus on running only, and none of them give you a personal coach to message when you are unsure. If you want structure at no cost, they are great. If you want strength, mobility and a real person to ask, that is where a coached app like Edge comes in.

What about TrainingPeaks and coach-led platforms?

TrainingPeaks is less of a beginner plan builder and more of a professional workspace. It has a large marketplace of structured half marathon plans written by credentialed coaches, and if you hire a coach, it is the shared space where they set your sessions and review your progress. It has a free basic tier and a paid Premium option, so check TrainingPeaks' listing for current UK pricing, as of August 2026. (Garmin acquired TrainingPeaks in 2026, with pricing and coach accounts unchanged at the time.) It is a fantastic tool if you are working with a coach or you like fine detail, but it asks more of you than a simple app that just tells you what to do today.

How do I choose the right app for me?

Start with how much guidance you want and what you can spend.

• Want it free and simple? Try Nike Run Club or Garmin Coach.
• Want a proven, structured plan by level? Look at Run With Hal.
• Want a running-first app with great watch sync? Runna is excellent.
• Working with a coach or love the detail? TrainingPeaks fits.
• Want one personalised plan across running, strength, HIIT and mobility, plus a real coach to message when life gets busy? That is where Edge is our top pick.

There is no single best app for everyone, only the best app for your goal, your week and your budget. If in doubt, most of these offer a free trial or a free tier, so you can try before you commit.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best app for half marathon training?

The best half marathon training app builds a plan around your goal time and the days you can run, then flexes when life gets in the way. Edge is our top pick for a fully personalised plan with a real coach to message, and Runna, Nike Run Club and Garmin Coach are all strong picks too, depending on your budget and how much guidance you want.

Can I train for a half marathon with a free app?

Yes. Nike Run Club and Garmin Coach are both free and will build you a structured half marathon plan. They focus on running only and do not include a coach you can message, but for a first half marathon they can be all you need.

How long does a half marathon training plan take?

Most plans run from about 8 to 16 weeks, depending on your starting fitness. If you can already run for 30 minutes, the shorter end is realistic. If you are newer to running, give yourself longer and build up gradually to lower your injury risk.

Do I need strength training for a half marathon?

A little strength and mobility work alongside your runs helps you stay injury free and run more comfortably. Running-only apps leave this out, whereas Edge builds strength, HIIT and mobility into the same plan as your running. If you have a niggle or an existing injury, see a GP or physio before you start.

How much does Edge cost?

Edge comes with a free 7-day trial, then from £19.99/month. In that time you get a fully personalised plan across running, strength, HIIT and mobility, ready in 15 minutes, and you can message a real coach anytime.

Which app is best if I use a Garmin or Apple Watch?

If watch integration is your priority, Runna syncs workouts to Garmin, Apple Watch, COROS, Suunto and Fitbit, and Garmin Coach is a natural fit if you already own a Garmin. Edge works alongside your usual tracking too, with the added benefit of strength and mobility in the same plan.