Mdina to Sliema, Malta · 42.195 km road marathon
Malta Marathon 2027 training plan
Race day Sunday 28 February 2027 · 21 full weeks away
16-week plan: Mon 9 Nov 2026 → race Sun 28 Feb 2027
Starts in 5 weeks. What to do until then
Assumes a runner now at: 35 km a week, longest recent run 18 km, 4 run days, a first marathon. Not you? Change it
Opens at 35 km a week and builds to 56.1 km; the long run grows to 27 km. Every few weeks is an easier one, and the last weeks taper.
A typical week: week 9, from Mon 4 Jan
- TueRace-effort practice: steady segments · 9.7 km
- ThuEasy run · 10.5 km
- SatLong run · 21.8 km
- SunRecovery run or hike · 6.5 km
Other days rest.
Keep it, print it or add it to your calendar — no account needed.
Your goal
Same starting point for each; change it under “Adjust this plan”.Your 16-week finish well plan
The plan starts Monday 9 November 2026, 5 weeks from now. Until then: base weeks from this week or a half marathon on the way.
Which one?
Base weeks: mostly easy running at the volume you run now, then this plan, in one calendar with a "what do I do today". Same runner, same plan. If you follow the Evergreen plan, these base weeks are that plan.
A half marathon four to six weeks before the marathon is the classic build-up: a fitness check and race practice that sets your marathon pace. The list shows halves three to eight weeks out; pick one and the season planner fits it into this build.
Or keep this page: it shows the same plan until Monday 9 November 2026.
Tap or point at a week to see it.
Week 1 · from Mon 9 Nov
Build consistent easy running — 35 km; long run 16 km
- Mon 9 NovRest
- Tue 10 NovEasy run + strides
- Thu 12 NovEasy run
- Sat 14 NovLong run
- Sun 15 NovRecovery run or hike
No account needed. A kept plan stays on this browser until its storage is cleared; find it under My kept plans, where you can also change single weeks.
Calendar
Choose a subscription that refreshes, or download a one-time copy.
Adjust this planDefault starting point: 35 km/week; longest recent outing 18 km; 4 days/week; steady recent training; first marathon.
All 16 weeks
Use it for race-effort sessions and race day. Easy runs stay easy whatever the goal; the plan's efforts come from how you run now.
Plan assumptions and limits
- Road race: the plan is distance-driven and no vertical target is prescribed.
- Generic planning guidance from race facts and stated training — not medical care or individual coaching.
- Training distances and durations are approximate alternatives, not pace targets. Use current effort, not a hoped-for finish time. Repeat or shorten a week if recovery is poor; do not make up missed sessions.
Week 1: Build consistent easy running35 km; long run 16 km
- Rest
Rest or gentle mobility.
- Easy run + strides
35 min (about 5.6 km). Start with 10 minutes easy. Then 6 x 20 seconds relaxed strides, with 1 minute easy between repeats. Finish with at least 10 minutes easy; any remaining time is easy.
- Easy run
60 min (about 9.5 km). Conversational aerobic running. Keep easy days easy enough to support the key work.
- Long run
100 min (about 15.9 km). Build relaxed time on feet at conversational effort. Practise eating and drinking on longer easy runs; easy pace is not a reason to skip fueling. For runs lasting 1 to 2.5 hours, 30 to 60 g of carbohydrate per hour is a useful starting range; beyond 2.5 hours, build toward 60 to 90 g per hour if you have practised it and tolerate it. Adjust fluid to your needs and the conditions.
- Recovery run or hike
25 min (about 4 km). Keep this genuinely easy, or substitute an easy hike.
Week 2: Build consistent easy running37 km; long run 16 km
- Rest
Rest or gentle mobility.
- Easy run + strides
40 min (about 6.4 km). Start with 10 minutes easy. Then 6 x 20 seconds relaxed strides, with 1 minute easy between repeats. Finish with at least 10 minutes easy; any remaining time is easy.
- Easy run
65 min (about 10.5 km). Conversational aerobic running. Keep easy days easy enough to support the key work.
- Long run
100 min (about 16.1 km). Build relaxed time on feet at conversational effort. Practise eating and drinking on longer easy runs; easy pace is not a reason to skip fueling. For runs lasting 1 to 2.5 hours, 30 to 60 g of carbohydrate per hour is a useful starting range; beyond 2.5 hours, build toward 60 to 90 g per hour if you have practised it and tolerate it. Adjust fluid to your needs and the conditions.
- Recovery run or hike
25 min (about 4 km). Keep this genuinely easy, or substitute an easy hike.
Week 3: Build consistent easy running39 km; long run 15.5 km
- Rest
Rest or gentle mobility.
- Easy run + strides
40 min (about 6.5 km). Start with 10 minutes easy. Then 6 x 20 seconds relaxed strides, with 1 minute easy between repeats. Finish with at least 10 minutes easy; any remaining time is easy.
- Easy run
70 min (about 11.4 km). Conversational aerobic running. Keep easy days easy enough to support the key work.
- Long run
95 min (about 15.4 km). Build relaxed time on feet at conversational effort. Practise eating and drinking on longer easy runs; easy pace is not a reason to skip fueling. For runs lasting 1 to 2.5 hours, 30 to 60 g of carbohydrate per hour is a useful starting range; beyond 2.5 hours, build toward 60 to 90 g per hour if you have practised it and tolerate it. Adjust fluid to your needs and the conditions.
- Recovery run or hike
35 min (about 5.7 km). Keep this genuinely easy, or substitute an easy hike.
Week 4: Absorb the work: reduce volume, keep frequency gentle31 km; long run 12 km
- Rest
Rest or gentle mobility.
- Easy run + relaxed strides
35 min (about 5.6 km). Start with 10 minutes easy. Then 6 x 20 seconds relaxed strides, with 1 minute easy between repeats. Finish with at least 10 minutes easy; any remaining time is easy.
- Easy run
60 min (about 9.5 km). Conversational aerobic running. Keep easy days easy enough to support the key work.
- Long run
75 min (about 11.9 km). Build relaxed time on feet at conversational effort. Practise the fuel, hydration and kit you intend to use; treat amounts as rehearsal, not a universal prescription.
- Recovery run or hike
25 min (about 4 km). Keep this genuinely easy, or substitute an easy hike.
Week 5: Build consistent easy running40.2 km; long run 16 km
- Rest
Rest or gentle mobility.
- Easy run + strides
40 min (about 6.4 km). Start with 10 minutes easy. Then 6 x 20 seconds relaxed strides, with 1 minute easy between repeats. Finish with at least 10 minutes easy; any remaining time is easy.
- Easy run
75 min (about 12.1 km). Conversational aerobic running. Keep easy days easy enough to support the key work.
- Long run
100 min (about 16.1 km). Build relaxed time on feet at conversational effort. Practise eating and drinking on longer easy runs; easy pace is not a reason to skip fueling. For runs lasting 1 to 2.5 hours, 30 to 60 g of carbohydrate per hour is a useful starting range; beyond 2.5 hours, build toward 60 to 90 g per hour if you have practised it and tolerate it. Adjust fluid to your needs and the conditions.
- Recovery run or hike
35 min (about 5.6 km). Keep this genuinely easy, or substitute an easy hike.
Week 6: Build consistent easy running44 km; long run 18.5 km
- Rest
Rest or gentle mobility.
- Easy run + strides
40 min (about 6.4 km). Start with 10 minutes easy. Then 6 x 20 seconds relaxed strides, with 1 minute easy between repeats. Finish with at least 10 minutes easy; any remaining time is easy.
- Easy run
80 min (about 12.8 km). Conversational aerobic running. Keep easy days easy enough to support the key work.
- Long run
115 min (about 18.4 km). Build relaxed time on feet at conversational effort. Practise eating and drinking on longer easy runs; easy pace is not a reason to skip fueling. For runs lasting 1 to 2.5 hours, 30 to 60 g of carbohydrate per hour is a useful starting range; beyond 2.5 hours, build toward 60 to 90 g per hour if you have practised it and tolerate it. Adjust fluid to your needs and the conditions.
- Recovery run or hike
40 min (about 6.4 km). Keep this genuinely easy, or substitute an easy hike.
Week 7: Grow the long run; keep the other runs easy46.1 km; long run 20 km
- Rest
Rest or gentle mobility.
- Race-effort practice: steady segments
55 min (about 8.9 km). Start with 10 minutes easy. Then 3 x 6 minutes at a steady effort, about what you expect to hold on race day, with 3 minutes easy between. Finish with at least 10 minutes easy.
- Easy run
65 min (about 10.5 km). Conversational aerobic running. Keep easy days easy enough to support the key work.
- Long run
125 min (about 20.2 km). Build relaxed time on feet at conversational effort. Practise eating and drinking on longer easy runs; easy pace is not a reason to skip fueling. For runs lasting 1 to 2.5 hours, 30 to 60 g of carbohydrate per hour is a useful starting range; beyond 2.5 hours, build toward 60 to 90 g per hour if you have practised it and tolerate it. Adjust fluid to your needs and the conditions.
- Recovery run or hike
40 min (about 6.5 km). Keep this genuinely easy, or substitute an easy hike.
Week 8: Absorb the work: reduce volume, keep frequency gentle37 km; long run 16 km
- Rest
Rest or gentle mobility.
- Easy run + relaxed strides
35 min (about 5.6 km). Start with 10 minutes easy. Then 6 x 20 seconds relaxed strides, with 1 minute easy between repeats. Finish with at least 10 minutes easy; any remaining time is easy.
- Easy run
65 min (about 10.5 km). Conversational aerobic running. Keep easy days easy enough to support the key work.
- Long run
100 min (about 16.1 km). Build relaxed time on feet at conversational effort. Practise eating and drinking on longer easy runs; easy pace is not a reason to skip fueling. For runs lasting 1 to 2.5 hours, 30 to 60 g of carbohydrate per hour is a useful starting range; beyond 2.5 hours, build toward 60 to 90 g per hour if you have practised it and tolerate it. Adjust fluid to your needs and the conditions.
- Recovery run or hike
30 min (about 4.8 km). Keep this genuinely easy, or substitute an easy hike.
Week 9: Grow the long run; keep the other runs easy48.5 km; long run 22 km
- Rest
Rest or gentle mobility.
- Race-effort practice: steady segments
60 min (about 9.7 km). Start with 10 minutes easy. Then 3 x 8 minutes at a steady effort, about what you expect to hold on race day, with 3 minutes easy between. Finish with at least 10 minutes easy.
- Easy run
65 min (about 10.5 km). Conversational aerobic running. Keep easy days easy enough to support the key work.
- Long run
135 min (about 21.8 km). Build relaxed time on feet at conversational effort. Practise eating and drinking on longer easy runs; easy pace is not a reason to skip fueling. For runs lasting 1 to 2.5 hours, 30 to 60 g of carbohydrate per hour is a useful starting range; beyond 2.5 hours, build toward 60 to 90 g per hour if you have practised it and tolerate it. Adjust fluid to your needs and the conditions.
- Recovery run or hike
40 min (about 6.5 km). Keep this genuinely easy, or substitute an easy hike.
Week 10: Grow the long run; keep the other runs easy51 km; long run 23.5 km
- Rest
Rest or gentle mobility.
- Race-effort practice: steady segments
60 min (about 9.7 km). Start with 10 minutes easy. Then 3 x 10 minutes at a steady effort, about what you expect to hold on race day, with 3 minutes easy between. Finish with at least 10 minutes easy.
- Easy run
65 min (about 10.5 km). Conversational aerobic running. Keep easy days easy enough to support the key work.
- Long run
145 min (about 23.5 km). Build relaxed time on feet at conversational effort. Practise eating and drinking on longer easy runs; easy pace is not a reason to skip fueling. For runs lasting 1 to 2.5 hours, 30 to 60 g of carbohydrate per hour is a useful starting range; beyond 2.5 hours, build toward 60 to 90 g per hour if you have practised it and tolerate it. Adjust fluid to your needs and the conditions.
- Recovery run or hike
45 min (about 7.3 km). Keep this genuinely easy, or substitute an easy hike.
Week 11: Your longest runs, still at an easy effort52.9 km; long run 25 km
- Rest
Rest or gentle mobility.
- Race-effort practice: steady segments
65 min (about 10.4 km). Start with 10 minutes easy. Then 3 x 10 minutes at a steady effort, about what you expect to hold on race day, with 3 minutes easy between. Finish with at least 10 minutes easy.
- Easy run
65 min (about 10.4 km). Conversational aerobic running. Keep easy days easy enough to support the key work.
- Long run
155 min (about 24.9 km). Use race-like terrain where practical, but keep the overall effort controlled. Practise eating and drinking on longer easy runs; easy pace is not a reason to skip fueling. For runs lasting 1 to 2.5 hours, 30 to 60 g of carbohydrate per hour is a useful starting range; beyond 2.5 hours, build toward 60 to 90 g per hour if you have practised it and tolerate it. Adjust fluid to your needs and the conditions.
- Recovery run or hike
45 min (about 7.2 km). Keep this genuinely easy, or substitute an easy hike.
Week 12: Absorb the work: reduce volume, keep frequency gentle41.9 km; long run 20 km
- Rest
Rest or gentle mobility.
- Easy run + relaxed strides
45 min (about 7.1 km). Start with 10 minutes easy. Then 6 x 20 seconds relaxed strides, with 1 minute easy between repeats. Finish with at least 10 minutes easy; any remaining time is easy.
- Easy run
60 min (about 9.5 km). Conversational aerobic running. Keep easy days easy enough to support the key work.
- Long run
125 min (about 19.8 km). Use race-like terrain where practical, but keep the overall effort controlled. Practise eating and drinking on longer easy runs; easy pace is not a reason to skip fueling. For runs lasting 1 to 2.5 hours, 30 to 60 g of carbohydrate per hour is a useful starting range; beyond 2.5 hours, build toward 60 to 90 g per hour if you have practised it and tolerate it. Adjust fluid to your needs and the conditions.
- Recovery run or hike
35 min (about 5.5 km). Keep this genuinely easy, or substitute an easy hike.
Week 13: Your longest runs, still at an easy effort56.1 km; long run 27 km
- Rest
Rest or gentle mobility.
- Race-effort practice: steady segments
65 min (about 10.6 km). Start with 10 minutes easy. Then 2 x 12 minutes at a steady effort, about what you expect to hold on race day, with 3 minutes easy between. Finish with at least 10 minutes easy.
- Easy run
70 min (about 11.4 km). Conversational aerobic running. Keep easy days easy enough to support the key work.
- Long run
165 min (about 26.8 km). Use race-like terrain where practical, but keep the overall effort controlled. Practise your race-day carbohydrate plan on this long run: 30 to 90 g per hour according to expected marathon duration, pace and stomach tolerance. Build toward the higher end only if you have practised it. Count the carbohydrate grams in your gels, drinks and other food rather than following a fixed gel interval. Practise drinking for your needs and the conditions; avoid overdrinking.
- Recovery run or hike
45 min (about 7.3 km). Keep this genuinely easy, or substitute an easy hike.
Week 14: Reduce fatigue while retaining a small intensity reminder40.1 km; long run 17.5 km
- Rest
Rest or gentle mobility.
- Short race-effort reminder
40 min (about 6.3 km). Start with 10 minutes easy. Then 4 x 2 minutes at controlled race effort, with 1 minute easy between repeats. Finish with at least 10 minutes easy; any remaining time is easy.
- Easy run
70 min (about 11 km). Conversational aerobic running. Keep easy days easy enough to support the key work.
- Long run
110 min (about 17.3 km). Keep this comfortable and finish with plenty in reserve. Practise eating and drinking on longer easy runs; easy pace is not a reason to skip fueling. For runs lasting 1 to 2.5 hours, 30 to 60 g of carbohydrate per hour is a useful starting range; beyond 2.5 hours, build toward 60 to 90 g per hour if you have practised it and tolerate it. Adjust fluid to your needs and the conditions.
- Recovery run or hike
35 min (about 5.5 km). Keep this genuinely easy, or substitute an easy hike.
Week 15: Reduce fatigue while retaining a small intensity reminder30.2 km; long run 10.5 km
- Rest
Rest or gentle mobility.
- Short race-effort reminder
30 min (about 4.8 km). Start with 10 minutes easy. Then 3 x 2 minutes at controlled race effort, with 1 minute easy between repeats. Finish with at least 10 minutes easy; any remaining time is easy.
- Easy run
65 min (about 10.3 km). Conversational aerobic running. Keep easy days easy enough to support the key work.
- Long run
65 min (about 10.3 km). Keep this comfortable and finish with plenty in reserve. Practise the fuel, hydration and kit you intend to use; treat amounts as rehearsal, not a universal prescription.
- Recovery run or hike
30 min (about 4.8 km). Keep this genuinely easy, or substitute an easy hike.
Week 16: Arrive rested; avoid last-minute fitness work14.9 km before the race
- Easy run
35 min (about 5.8 km). Keep this short and conversational. The goal is freshness, not fitness.
- Easy pre-race run
35 min (about 5.8 km). Run conversationally. If already familiar, include a few relaxed strides with full recovery; otherwise stay easy.
- Optional shakeout
20 min (about 3.3 km). Rest, or jog very easily if that reliably helps you feel better.
- Race day
Run the 42.2 km as planned: start controlled and use the fuelling and kit rehearsed in training. Afterwards: rest or walk for two or three days, then short easy runs only, with no hard running for about two weeks.
Sources and what is still provisional
Race facts checked 2026-09-23; review due 2026-11-01. The schedule was generated on 2026-10-02 from the confirmed date and distance; it is TrailSplits' own calculation and is not endorsed by the organizer. Independently prepared by TrailSplits.
- 2027 race and route information
The Sunday 28 February 2027 date, 42.195 km, the minimum age of 18, the five-hour limit and gun-time basis, the guideline cut-offs at km 15, 21, 32, 35 and 38, the 12:00 finish closure, the 06:45 Mdina start, the fee bands and 15 January 2027 closing date, the 5 euro transport leaving Sliema at 05:30, DHL baggage, aid stations, the 185 m drop and 211 m climb, and the note that the 2026 routes may be kept for 2027.
- Bib collection and Sliema map
Bib collection days and hours for overseas runners at the Barcelo Fortina Hotel and residents at Eurosport Birkirkara, proxy collection with the ID or passport number, withdrawal of uncollected bibs, and transport tickets on sale at registration.
- Route description and map
The kilometre-by-kilometre route from Mdina to Sliema, the Ta' Qali and Mosta loops, the aqueduct stretch at km 30 to 31, the 190 m drop, wheel measurement, traffic officers at junctions, the 2026 route map download, and the statement that the 2027 route will most probably repeat 2026, subject to road works.
- Official home page
The 28 February 2027 edition listed as open for applications, and the World Athletics and AIMS certification of the routes.
- Transfer of applications
Transfers of paid places to another person before registration, by emailed consent and a new online application naming the runner replaced.