félmaraton

A félmaraton, known in English as the half marathon, is a road running race over 21.0975 kilometers (13.1094 miles). It sits between the 10K and the full marathon in distance and is one of the most popular long-distance events worldwide.

Origin and popularity: The half marathon gained global prominence with the rise of organized road racing in the late 20th century. It offers a serious endurance challenge while requiring less weekly training and time commitment than a full marathon, attracting a broad range of recreational and competitive runners.

Course and organization: Races are typically run on closed or partially closed roads. Courses are officially measured to certify the distance; elevation, temperature, and wind influence times. Many events use pacers and provide aid stations roughly every 2–3 kilometers.

Training and strategy: Effective preparation usually lasts 8–14 weeks for beginners, with a progression of weekly mileage, a weekly long run, tempo work, and intervals. Recovery, nutrition, and injury prevention are important, as is gradual progression to avoid overuse.

Notable races and records: The half marathon features major events such as the Valencia Half Marathon and the Great North Run. World Athletics maintains the official records for the discipline. The distance is widely used as an entry point to longer endurance events.