Dresden, Germany · 42.195 km road marathon
Oberelbe Marathon 2027 training plan
Race day Sunday 25 April 2027 · 29 full weeks away
16-week plan: Mon 4 Jan 2027 → race Sun 25 Apr 2027
Starts in 13 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 1 Mar
- 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 4 January 2027, 13 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 4 January 2027.
Tap or point at a week to see it.
Week 1 · from Mon 4 Jan
Build consistent easy running — 35 km; long run 16 km
- Mon 4 JanRest
- Tue 5 JanEasy run + strides
- Thu 7 JanEasy run
- Sat 9 JanLong run
- Sun 10 JanRecovery 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.
Other spring 2027 marathons and their plan start dates
Sources and what is still provisional
Race facts checked 2026-09-24; review due 2026-11-04. 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 regulations (Ausschreibung)
The 25 April 2027 date of the 28th edition, the official DLV measurement, the Deutsche Bahn crossing window between km 5 and 7 and the provisional start time, the 11 April closing date and late entry to 24 April, no entry at the start, 15 euro posting, gun and net ranking, the bib as a VVO ticket, pacers, aid stations, bag transport in the official bag, the Heinz-Steyer-Stadion finish, the 6 h limit, the S1 journey and bib pickup days and hours.
- Course overview and start times
The 09:20 marathon start on the Elbwiese below Königstein station, marked as subject to the railway window, the route summary and the course, profile and finish-area downloads.
- Marathon course page
Distance 42.195 km, finish 6 h after the start, the landmarks from Rathen to the Semperoper, the 1.5 km Pirna Altstadt detour, the Zschieren station at km 26 and the organizer-linked 2026 course file behind the map line.
- 2027 entry fees
The 2027 marathon fee bands from 70 to 95 euro with their dates.
- Participant FAQ
Transfers to another runner at 10, 12 and 15 euro until 22 April 2027, the 8 euro distance-change fee from 1 April, start-area pickup only if booked at entry for 18 euro, proxy pickup with the confirmation, posted bibs about two weeks before, and the narrow cycle path.
- 2026 organizer course map, profile and finish plan
The 2026 profile between about 105 and 145 m with its high point near km 8 and the Pirna rise at km 18; the 2026 course map (oem2026_Streckengrafik_VVOMarathon_RZ.pdf) and finish plan (Lageplan-Ziel-TN-und-Zuschauer_2026.pdf) show the same bank throughout and the finish on the stadium track. 2026 files, not 2027 confirmations.
- 2026 marathon train timetable
The 2026 S1 departures from Dresden Hbf at 06:59 to 08:29 and arrivals in Königstein from 07:38 to 09:08. The 2027 timetable is not yet published.
- 2026 participant cap announcement
The first cap on all distances in 2026, 1,800 for the marathon, with about 350 marathon places left on 15 March 2026.