Florence Marathon 2026: your plan for the final 8 weeks
The Florence Marathon is on 29 November 2026: how to organise long runs, race pace and tapering over the 8 weeks that remain.
Written by the editorial team at Velunite
The Florence Marathon takes place on Sunday 29 November 2026, starting at 8:30 and running through the historic centre, Ponte Vecchio and the Lungarni. With under two months to go, there is enough time to build good fitness if you already have a base, but too little to fix having no preparation.
First question: where are you starting from?
This outline makes sense if you have been running regularly, at least 3-4 times a week, and have a 16-18 km long run in your legs. If you are newer or run fewer kilometres, consider a more cautious goal: a half marathon, or a marathon where the only aim is to finish at a very easy pace.
Weeks 8-5: build the long run
The pillar is the weekly long run, growing gradually up to 28-32 km at most. Add 2-3 km to the long run each week, with a recovery week every four where volume drops. Alongside it, one quality session a week: long repeats (for example 4-5 x 2 km near half-marathon pace) or a continuous 8-10 km at race pace.
Weeks 4-3: rehearse the race
The most important long run, the 30-32 km one, should be done roughly three weeks out: use it as a dress rehearsal for shoes, clothing, gels and breakfast. Include at least one 10-15 km block at race pace inside it to get legs and head used to the pace you will need to hold.
Final 3 weeks: the taper
Reduce volume progressively and shorten the long runs, while keeping some race-pace segments. In race week, runs drop to 30-40 very easy minutes with a few short strides. Sleep more and change nothing that has worked so far.
Dealing with late-November cold
Mornings can be cold at the end of November: dress in layers and bring a disposable layer to discard before the start. In the race choose light clothing that is not too bare, since your body warms up after the first kilometres.
Race-day pace
Start slower than target for the first 5 km, then settle in and check every kilometre. The Velunite pace calculator helps turn a goal time into realistic splits. If you feel good at halfway, stay patient: the marathon really begins after 30 km.
For the last month
A light running windbreaker and a pair of winter running gloves can be useful for cold training days.