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Training Plans

The B.A.A. has developed three levels of training plans to help you prepare for the Boston 5K. Each level is an eight-week program and varies from four days to seven days of training per week.

Goal Time 17:00 18:30 20:00 21:15 23:00 24:30 25:45 27:00 28:30 30:00
Easy Runs 7:30 to 7:00 8:10 to 7:35 8:50 to 8:15 9:30 to 8:50 10:10 to 9:30 10:50 to 10:10 11:35 to 10:50 12:00 to 11:20 12:50 to 12:00 13:30 to 12:50
Aerobic Runs 7:00 to 6:40 7:35 to 7:15 8:10 to 7:50 8:50 to 8:30 9:30 to 9:05 10:05 to 9:45 10:45 to 10:20 11:20 to 10:55 12:00 to 11:30 12:40 to 12:10
Half Marathon Pace Runs/Intervals 6:10 to 5:50 6:45 to 6:30 7:15 to 7:00 7:50 to 7:30 8:25 to 8:05 9:00 to 8:35 9:30 to 9:05 10:00 to 9:40 10:40 to 10:10 11:10 to 10:40
10K Pace Intervals 5:50 to 5:40 6:25 to 6:10 6:55 to 6:40 7:30 to 7:10 8:00 to 7:40 8:30 to 8:10 9:00 to 8:40 9:35 to 9:15 10:00 to 9:40 10:35 to 10:15
5K Pace Intervals 5:35 to 5:25 6:05 to 5:55 6:30 to 6:20 7:00 to 6:50 7:30 to 7:20 8:00 to 7:50 8:30 to 8:20 9:00 to 8:50 9:30 to 9:20 10:00 to 9:50

All pace are per mile average

WEEK 1 2-WEEK PREP PHASE
MONDAY Easy Run, Cross Training or Off Day
TUESDAY 10 minutes easy, 10 minutes Moderate Pace Run
WEDNESDAY Easy Run, Cross Training or Off Day
THURSDAY 10 minutes easy, 10 minutes Moderate Pace Run
FRIDAY Easy Run, Cross Training or Off Day
SATURDAY 10 minutes easy, 10 minutes Moderate Pace Run
SUNDAY 30 minutes Easy Long Run
WEEK 2 2-WEEK PREP PHASE
MONDAY Easy Run, Cross Training or Off Day
TUESDAY 10-12 minutes easy, 10-12 minutes Moderate Pace Run
WEDNESDAY Easy Run, Cross Training or Off Day
THURSDAY 10-12 minutes easy, 10-12 minutes Moderate Pace Run
FRIDAY Easy Run, Cross Training or Off Day
SATURDAY 10-12 minutes easy, 10-12 minutes Moderate Pace Run
SUNDAY 30-35 minutes Easy Long Run
WEEK 3 5-WEEK MAIN PHASE
MONDAY Easy Run, Cross Training or Off Day
TUESDAY 12-15 minutes easy, 10-12 minutes Moderate Pace Run
WEDNESDAY Easy Run, Cross Training or Off Day
THURSDAY 12-15 minutes easy, 10-12 minutes Moderate Pace Run
FRIDAY Easy Run, Cross Training or Off Day
SATURDAY 12-15 minutes easy, 10-12 minutes Moderate Pace Run
SUNDAY 35-40 minutes Easy Long Run
WEEK 4 5-WEEK MAIN PHASE
MONDAY Easy Run, Cross Training or Off Day
TUESDAY 12-15 minutes easy, 12-15 minutes Moderate Pace Run
WEDNESDAY Easy Run, Cross Training or Off Day
THURSDAY 12-15 minutes easy, 12-15 minutes Moderate Pace Run
FRIDAY Easy Run, Cross Training or Off Day
SATURDAY 12-15 minutes easy, 12-15 minutes Moderate Pace Run
SUNDAY 40 minutes Easy Long Run
WEEK 5 5-WEEK MAIN PHASE
MONDAY Easy Run, Cross Training or Off Day
TUESDAY 12-15 minutes easy, 15-18 minutes Moderate Pace Run
WEDNESDAY Easy Run, Cross Training or Off Day
THURSDAY 12-15 minutes easy, 15-18 minutes Moderate Pace Run
FRIDAY Easy Run, Cross Training or Off Day
SATURDAY 12-15 minutes easy, 15-18 minutes Moderate Pace Run
SUNDAY 40 minutes Easy Long Run
WEEK 6 5-WEEK MAIN PHASE
MONDAY Easy Run, Cross Training or Off Day
TUESDAY 12-15 minutes easy, 18-20 minutes Moderate Pace Run
WEDNESDAY Easy Run, Cross Training or Off Day
THURSDAY 12-15 minutes easy, 18-20 minutes Moderate Pace Run
FRIDAY Easy Run, Cross Training or Off Day
SATURDAY 12-15 minutes easy, 18-20 minutes Moderate Pace Run
SUNDAY 30-35 minutes Easy Long Run
WEEK 7 5-WEEK MAIN PHASE
MONDAY Easy Run, Cross Training or Off Day
TUESDAY 10-12 minutes easy, 10-12 minutes Moderate Pace Run
WEDNESDAY Easy Run, Cross Training or Off Day
THURSDAY 10-12 minutes easy, 10-12 minutes Moderate Pace Run
FRIDAY Easy Run, Cross Training or Off Day
SATURDAY 10-12 minutes easy, 10-12 minutes Moderate Pace Run
SUNDAY Off Day
WEEK 8 1-WEEK TAPER PHASE
MONDAY Easy Run, Cross Training or Off Day
TUESDAY 10 minutes easy, 10 minutes Moderate Pace Run
WEDNESDAY Easy Run, Cross Training or Off Day
THURSDAY Off Day
FRIDAY Off Day
SATURDAY RACE DAY

WEEK 1 2-WEEK PREP PHASE
MONDAY Easy Run, Cross Training or Off Day
TUESDAY 7-10 minutes warm-up jog
3 sets of (4 x 1 minute at 5K goal pace, with 1 minute rest in between)
3 minutes easy jog between sets
7-10 minute warm-down jog
WEDNESDAY Easy Run, Cross Training or Off Day
THURSDAY 20 minutes Moderate Pace Run
FRIDAY Easy Run, Cross Training or Off Day
SATURDAY 7-10 minutes warm-up jog
5 x 3 minutes at 10k Pace with 2 minute walk/jog in between
7-10 minutes warm-down jog
SUNDAY 50-60 minutes Easy Long Run
WEEK 2 2-WEEK PREP PHASE
MONDAY Easy Run, Cross Training or Off Day
TUESDAY 7-10 minutes warm-up jog
3 sets of (4 x 1 minute at 5K goal pace, with 1 minute rest in between)
3 minutes easy jog between sets
7-10 minute warm-down jog
WEDNESDAY Easy Run, Cross Training or Off Day
THURSDAY 25 minutes Moderate Pace Run
FRIDAY Easy Run, Cross Training or Off Day
SATURDAY 7-10 minutes warm-up jog
5 x 3 minutes at 10k Pace with 2 minute walk/jog in between
7-10 minutes warm-down jog
SUNDAY 50-60 minutes Easy Long Run
WEEK 3 5-WEEK MAIN PHASE
MONDAY Easy Run, Cross Training or Off Day
TUESDAY 7-10 minutes warm-up jog
2 sets of (5 x 90 seconds at 5K goal pace, with 90 seconds rest in between)
3 minutes easy jog between sets
7-10 minute warm-down jog
WEDNESDAY Easy Run, Cross Training or Off Day
THURSDAY 30 minutes Moderate Pace Run
FRIDAY Easy Run, Cross Training or Off Day
SATURDAY 7-10 minutes warm-up jog
4 x 4 minutes at 10k Pace with 2 minute walk/jog in between
7-10 minutes warm-down jog
SUNDAY 60-70 minutes Easy Long Run
WEEK 4 5-WEEK MAIN PHASE
MONDAY Easy Run, Cross Training or Off Day
TUESDAY 7-10 minutes warm-up jog
2 sets of (5 x 90 seconds at 5K goal pace, with 90 seconds rest in between)
3 minutes easy jog between sets
7-10 minute warm-down jog
WEDNESDAY Easy Run, Cross Training or Off Day
THURSDAY 30 minutes Moderate Pace Run
FRIDAY Easy Run, Cross Training or Off Day
SATURDAY 7-10 minutes warm-up jog
4 x 4 minutes at 10k Pace with 2 minute walk/jog in between
7-10 minutes warm-down jog
SUNDAY 60-70 minutes Easy Long Run
WEEK 5 5-WEEK MAIN PHASE
MONDAY Easy Run, Cross Training or Off Day
TUESDAY 7-10 minutes warm-up jog
2 sets of (4 x 2 minutes at 5K goal pace, with 2 minutes rest in between)
4 minutes easy jog between sets
7-10 minute warm-down jog
WEDNESDAY Easy Run, Cross Training or Off Day
THURSDAY 35 minutes Moderate Pace Run
FRIDAY Easy Run, Cross Training or Off Day
SATURDAY 7-10 minutes warm-up jog
4 x 5 minutes at 10k Pace with 2 minute walk/jog in between
7-10 minutes warm-down jog
SUNDAY 60-70 minutes Easy Long Run
WEEK 6 5-WEEK MAIN PHASE
MONDAY Easy Run, Cross Training or Off Day
TUESDAY 7-10 minutes warm-up jog
2 sets of (4 x 2 minutes at 5K goal pace, with 2 minutes rest in between)
4 minutes easy jog between sets
7-10 minute warm-down jog
WEDNESDAY Easy Run, Cross Training or Off Day
THURSDAY 35 minutes Moderate Pace Run
FRIDAY Easy Run, Cross Training or Off Day
SATURDAY 7-10 minutes warm-up jog
3 x 6 minutes at 10k Pace with 3 minute walk/jog in between
7-10 minutes warm-down jog
SUNDAY 50-60 minutes Easy Long Run
WEEK 7 5-WEEK MAIN PHASE
MONDAY Easy Run, Cross Training or Off Day
TUESDAY 7-10 minutes warm-up jog
2 sets of (4 x 90 seconds at 5K goal pace, with 90 seconds rest in between)
3 minutes easy jog between sets
7-10 minute warm-down jog
WEDNESDAY Easy Run, Cross Training or Off Day
THURSDAY 35 minutes Moderate Pace Run
FRIDAY Easy Run, Cross Training or Off Day
SATURDAY 7-10 minutes warm-up jog
3 x 4 minutes at 10k pace with 2 minute walk/jog in between
7-10 minutes warm-down jog
SUNDAY 50-60 minutes Easy Long Run
WEEK 8 1-WEEK TAPER PHASE
MONDAY Easy Run, Cross Training or Off Day
TUESDAY 7-10 minutes warm-up jog
2 sets of (3 x 1 minute at 5K goal pace, with 1 minute rest in between)
3 minutes easy jog between sets
7-10 minute warm-down jog
WEDNESDAY Easy Run, Cross Training or Off Day
THURSDAY 15-20 minutes Moderate Pace Run
FRIDAY Off Day
SATURDAY RACE DAY

WEEK 1 2-WEEK PREP PHASE
MONDAY Off Day
TUESDAY 10-12 minutes warm-up jog
2 sets of (3 x 3 minutes at 5K goal pace, with 2 minutes rest)
4 minutes easy jog between sets
10-12 minutes warm-down jog
WEDNESDAY Easy Run or Cross Training
THURSDAY 25-30 minutes Moderate Pace Run
Finish with 8-10 x 15 seconds hard stride, with 45 seconds rest in between
FRIDAY Easy Run or Cross Training
SATURDAY 10-12 minutes warm-up jog
5 x 4 minutes at 10K pace, with 2 minute walk/jog in between
10-12 minutes warm-down jog
SUNDAY 50-60 minutes Easy Long Run
WEEK 2 2-WEEK PREP PHASE
MONDAY Off Day
TUESDAY 10-12 minutes warm-up jog
2 sets of (3 x 3 minutes at 5K goal pace, with 2 minutes rest)
4 minutes easy jog between sets
10-12 minutes warm-down jog
WEDNESDAY Easy Run or Cross Training
THURSDAY 30-35 minutes Moderate Pace Run
Finish with 8-10 x 15 seconds hard stride, with 45 seconds rest in between
FRIDAY Easy Run or Cross Training
SATURDAY 10-12 minutes warm-up jog
4 x 5 minutes at 10K pace, with 2 1/2 minute walk/jog in between
10-12 minutes warm-down jog
SUNDAY 50-60 minutes Easy Long Run
WEEK 3 5-WEEK MAIN PHASE
MONDAY Off Day
TUESDAY 10-12 minutes warm-up jog
3 sets of (4 x 2 minutes at 5K goal pace, with 90 seconds rest)
3 minutes easy jog between sets
10-12 minutes warm-down jog
WEDNESDAY Easy Run or Cross Training
THURSDAY 30-35 minutes Moderate Pace Run
Finish with 8-10 x 15 seconds hard stride, with 45 seconds rest in between
FRIDAY Easy Run or Cross Training
SATURDAY 10-12 minutes warm-up jog
3 x 8 minutes at Half Marathon Pace, with 3 minute walk/jog in between
10-12 minutes warm-down jog
SUNDAY 60-70 minutes Easy Long Run
WEEK 4 5-WEEK MAIN PHASE
MONDAY Off Day
TUESDAY 10-12 minutes warm-up jog
3 sets of (4 x 2 minutes at 5K goal pace, with 90 seconds rest)
3 minutes easy jog between sets
10-12 minutes warm-down jog
WEDNESDAY Easy Run or Cross Training
THURSDAY 35-40 minutes Moderate Pace Run
Finish with 8-10 x 15 seconds hard stride, with 45 seconds rest in between
FRIDAY Easy Run or Cross Training
SATURDAY 10-12 minutes warm-up jog
3 x 9 minutes at Half Marathon Pace, with 3 minute walk/jog in between
10-12 minutes warm-down jog
SUNDAY 60-70 minutes Easy Long Run
WEEK 5 5-WEEK MAIN PHASE
MONDAY Off Day
TUESDAY 10-12 minutes warm-up jog
2 sets of (3 x 3 minutes at 5K goal pace, with 2 minutes rest)
3 minutes easy jog between sets
10-12 minutes warm-down jog
WEDNESDAY Easy Run or Cross Training
THURSDAY 35-40 minutes Moderate Pace Run
Finish with 8-10 x 15 seconds hard stride, with 45 seconds rest in between
FRIDAY Easy Run or Cross Training
SATURDAY 10-12 minutes warm-up jog
3 x 10 minutes at Half Marathon Pace, with 3 minute walk/jog in between
10-12 minutes warm-down jog
SUNDAY 60-70 minutes Easy Long Run
WEEK 6 5-WEEK MAIN PHASE
MONDAY Off Day
TUESDAY 10-12 minutes warm-up jog
2 sets of (3 x 3 minutes at 5K goal pace, with 2 minutes rest)
4 minutes easy jog between sets
10-12 minutes warm-down jog
WEDNESDAY Easy Run or Cross Training
THURSDAY 30-35 minutes Moderate Pace Run
Finish with 8-10 x 15 seconds hard stride, with 45 seconds rest in between
FRIDAY Easy Run or Cross Training
SATURDAY 10-12 minutes warm-up jog
3 x 6 minutes at 10K pace, with 3 minute walk/jog in between
10-12 minutes warm-down jog
SUNDAY 50-60 minutes Easy Long Run
WEEK 7 5-WEEK MAIN PHASE
MONDAY Off Day
TUESDAY 10-12 minutes warm-up jog
2 sets of (4 x 2 minutes at 5K goal pace, with 90 seconds rest)
3 minutes easy jog between sets
10-12 minutes warm-down jog
WEDNESDAY Easy Run or Cross Training
THURSDAY 25-30 minutes Moderate Pace Run
Finish with 8-10 x 15 seconds hard stride, with 45 seconds rest in between
FRIDAY Easy Run or Cross Training
SATURDAY 10-12 minutes warm-up jog
3 x 5 minutes at 10K pace, with 3 minute walk/jog in between
10-12 minutes warm-down jog
SUNDAY 50-60 minutes Easy Long Run
WEEK 8 1-WEEK TAPER PHASE
MONDAY Easy Run or Cross Training
TUESDAY 7-10 minutes warm-up jog
2 sets of (3 x 90 seconds at 5K goal pace, with 1 minute rest in between)
3 minutes easy jog between sets
7-10 minute warm-down jog
WEDNESDAY Easy Run or Cross Training
THURSDAY 15-20 minutes Moderate Pace Run
Finish with 6-8 x 15 seconds hard stride, with 45 seconds rest in between
FRIDAY Easy Run or Off Day
SATURDAY RACE DAY

The Boston 5K Training Plan material is intended to be of general informational use and is not intended to constitute any fitness and/or medical advice. You should always consult a qualified and licensed medical professional prior to beginning or modifying any exercise program. Please use personal judgment when participating in any training or exercise program. Information contained within the Boston 5K Training Plan may not be reproduced or repurposed without approved written consent from the Boston Athletic Association.