4-Day Yuma Territorial Marathon Training Plan

Yuma, AZJanuary 30, 2027

Four runs per week for 18 weeks: two easy runs, one midweek aerobic run, and one long run. The schedule stays fixed; the guidance below shows how to choose terrain, rehearse conditions, and prepare for the Yuma Territorial Marathon course.

Ninety eight people finished the Yuma Territorial Marathon in 2026, and that was a big year: the four editions before it finished between 40 and 53 runners. It starts at 7 a.m. at the Cocopah Resort and Casino south of Yuma and runs an out and back on the shoulder of a highway through the farmland of the lower Colorado River valley in late January.

See the full 18-week plan Read the full race guide

Race day: January 30, 2027
18-week window: Around September 26, 2026
Course: Mostly Flat · Mostly Out and Back
Peak week: 40 miles
Longest run: 20 miles

Your complete Yuma Territorial Marathon schedule

The 18-week window opens around September 26, 2026. Weeks one through 17 keep the normal Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Sunday rhythm. Only race week moves so the marathon lands on its actual weekday. If the window has passed, do not skip ahead or cram missed mileage into the time left.

Open any week to see all seven days. Week 1 is open to start.

1Week 1Foundation · 15 mi

Mon

Rest

Tue

Easy

3 mi easy run

Wed

Cross-training

30 min easy cross-training or mobility

Thu

Easy

3 mi relaxed aerobic run

Fri

Rest

Sat

Easy

3 mi easy run

Sun

Long run

6 mi long run, conversational effort

2Week 2Foundation · 17 mi

Mon

Rest

Tue

Easy

3 mi easy run

Wed

Cross-training

30 min easy cross-training or mobility

Thu

Easy

4 mi relaxed aerobic run

Fri

Rest

Sat

Easy

3 mi easy run

Sun

Long run

7 mi long run, conversational effort

3Week 3Recovery week · 15 mi

Mon

Rest

Tue

Easy

3 mi easy run

Wed

Cross-training

Rest or 20 min gentle mobility

Thu

Easy

3 mi relaxed aerobic run

Fri

Rest

Sat

Easy

3 mi easy run

Sun

Long run

6 mi long run, conversational effort

4Week 4Build · 19 mi

Mon

Rest

Tue

Easy

3 mi easy run

Wed

Cross-training

30–40 min easy cross-training

Thu

Easy

5 mi relaxed aerobic run

Fri

Rest

Sat

Easy

3 mi easy run + 4 relaxed strides

Sun

Long run

8 mi long run, conversational effort

5Week 5Build · 22 mi

Mon

Rest

Tue

Easy

4 mi easy run

Wed

Cross-training

30–40 min easy cross-training

Thu

Easy

5 mi relaxed aerobic run

Fri

Rest

Sat

Easy

3 mi easy run

Sun

Long run

10 mi long run; practice fluids

6Week 6Recovery week · 18 mi

Mon

Rest

Tue

Easy

3 mi easy run

Wed

Cross-training

Rest or 25 min gentle cross-training

Thu

Easy

4 mi relaxed aerobic run

Fri

Rest

Sat

Easy

3 mi easy run

Sun

Long run

8 mi long run, conversational effort

7Week 7Build · 25 mi

Mon

Rest

Tue

Easy

4 mi easy run

Wed

Cross-training

30–40 min easy cross-training

Thu

Quality

6 mi steady run; final 1 mi at planned marathon effort

Fri

Rest

Sat

Easy

3 mi easy run

Sun

Long run

12 mi long run; practice fuel and fluids

8Week 8Recovery week · 23 mi

Mon

Rest

Tue

Easy

4 mi easy run

Wed

Cross-training

30 min easy cross-training or mobility

Thu

Easy

5 mi relaxed aerobic run

Fri

Rest

Sat

Easy

4 mi easy run + 4 relaxed strides

Sun

Long run

10 mi long run, conversational effort

9Week 9Build · 29 mi

Mon

Rest

Tue

Easy

4 mi easy run

Wed

Cross-training

30–40 min easy cross-training

Thu

Quality

7 mi steady run; middle 2 mi at planned marathon effort

Fri

Rest

Sat

Easy

4 mi easy run

Sun

Long run

14 mi long run; use race-day fuel timing

10Week 10Recovery week · 24 mi

Mon

Rest

Tue

Easy

4 mi easy run

Wed

Cross-training

Rest or 25 min gentle cross-training

Thu

Easy

5 mi relaxed aerobic run

Fri

Rest

Sat

Easy

4 mi easy run

Sun

Long run

11 mi long run, conversational effort

11Week 11Build · 32 mi

Mon

Rest

Tue

Easy

5 mi easy run

Wed

Cross-training

30–40 min easy cross-training

Thu

Quality

7 mi steady run; final 2 mi at planned marathon effort

Fri

Rest

Sat

Easy

4 mi easy run

Sun

Long run

16 mi long run; rehearse fuel, fluids, and kit

12Week 12Recovery week · 26 mi

Mon

Rest

Tue

Easy

4 mi easy run

Wed

Cross-training

Rest or 25 min gentle cross-training

Thu

Easy

6 mi relaxed aerobic run

Fri

Rest

Sat

Easy

4 mi easy run + 4 relaxed strides

Sun

Long run

12 mi long run, conversational effort

13Week 13Peak week · 36 mi

Mon

Rest

Tue

Easy

5 mi easy run

Wed

Cross-training

30 min easy cross-training or mobility

Thu

Quality

8 mi steady run; middle 3 mi at planned marathon effort

Fri

Rest

Sat

Easy

5 mi easy run

Sun

Long run

18 mi long run; full race-day fueling rehearsal

14Week 14Recovery week · 29 mi

Mon

Rest

Tue

Easy

5 mi easy run

Wed

Cross-training

Rest or 25 min gentle cross-training

Thu

Easy

6 mi relaxed aerobic run

Fri

Rest

Sat

Easy

4 mi easy run

Sun

Long run

14 mi long run, conversational effort

15Week 15Peak week · 40 mi

Mon

Rest

Tue

Easy

6 mi easy run

Wed

Cross-training

30 min easy cross-training or mobility

Thu

Quality

9 mi steady run; middle 4 mi at planned marathon effort

Fri

Rest

Sat

Easy

5 mi easy run

Sun

Long run

20 mi long run; complete race-day rehearsal

16Week 16Taper · 26 mi

Mon

Rest

Tue

Easy

4 mi easy run

Wed

Cross-training

25 min easy cross-training or mobility

Thu

Quality

6 mi relaxed run; 2 mi at planned marathon effort

Fri

Rest

Sat

Easy

4 mi easy run

Sun

Long run

12 mi long run, controlled effort

17Week 17Taper · 18 mi

Mon

Rest

Tue

Easy

3 mi easy run

Wed

Cross-training

Rest or 20 min gentle mobility

Thu

Easy

4 mi relaxed run + 4 short strides

Fri

Rest

Sat

Easy

3 mi easy run

Sun

Long run

8 mi long run, conversational effort

18Week 18Taper · 8 mi + race

Sun

Rest

Mon

Easy

3 mi easy run

Tue

Rest

Rest or 15 min gentle mobility

Wed

Easy

3 mi easy run + 4 short strides

Thu

Rest

Fri

Easy

2 mi shakeout, or rest

Sat

Race

Marathon — 26.2 mi

Week	Mon	Tue	Wed	Thu	Fri	Sat	Sun	Run total
Week 1Foundation	Rest	3 mi easy run	30 min easy cross-training or mobility	3 mi relaxed aerobic run	Rest	3 mi easy run	6 mi long run, conversational effort	15 mi
Week 2Foundation	Rest	3 mi easy run	30 min easy cross-training or mobility	4 mi relaxed aerobic run	Rest	3 mi easy run	7 mi long run, conversational effort	17 mi
Week 3Recovery week	Rest	3 mi easy run	Rest or 20 min gentle mobility	3 mi relaxed aerobic run	Rest	3 mi easy run	6 mi long run, conversational effort	15 mi
Week 4Build	Rest	3 mi easy run	30–40 min easy cross-training	5 mi relaxed aerobic run	Rest	3 mi easy run + 4 relaxed strides	8 mi long run, conversational effort	19 mi
Week 5Build	Rest	4 mi easy run	30–40 min easy cross-training	5 mi relaxed aerobic run	Rest	3 mi easy run	10 mi long run; practice fluids	22 mi
Week 6Recovery week	Rest	3 mi easy run	Rest or 25 min gentle cross-training	4 mi relaxed aerobic run	Rest	3 mi easy run	8 mi long run, conversational effort	18 mi
Week 7Build	Rest	4 mi easy run	30–40 min easy cross-training	6 mi steady run; final 1 mi at planned marathon effort	Rest	3 mi easy run	12 mi long run; practice fuel and fluids	25 mi
Week 8Recovery week	Rest	4 mi easy run	30 min easy cross-training or mobility	5 mi relaxed aerobic run	Rest	4 mi easy run + 4 relaxed strides	10 mi long run, conversational effort	23 mi
Week 9Build	Rest	4 mi easy run	30–40 min easy cross-training	7 mi steady run; middle 2 mi at planned marathon effort	Rest	4 mi easy run	14 mi long run; use race-day fuel timing	29 mi
Week 10Recovery week	Rest	4 mi easy run	Rest or 25 min gentle cross-training	5 mi relaxed aerobic run	Rest	4 mi easy run	11 mi long run, conversational effort	24 mi
Week 11Build	Rest	5 mi easy run	30–40 min easy cross-training	7 mi steady run; final 2 mi at planned marathon effort	Rest	4 mi easy run	16 mi long run; rehearse fuel, fluids, and kit	32 mi
Week 12Recovery week	Rest	4 mi easy run	Rest or 25 min gentle cross-training	6 mi relaxed aerobic run	Rest	4 mi easy run + 4 relaxed strides	12 mi long run, conversational effort	26 mi
Week 13Peak week	Rest	5 mi easy run	30 min easy cross-training or mobility	8 mi steady run; middle 3 mi at planned marathon effort	Rest	5 mi easy run	18 mi long run; full race-day fueling rehearsal	36 mi
Week 14Recovery week	Rest	5 mi easy run	Rest or 25 min gentle cross-training	6 mi relaxed aerobic run	Rest	4 mi easy run	14 mi long run, conversational effort	29 mi
Week 15Peak week	Rest	6 mi easy run	30 min easy cross-training or mobility	9 mi steady run; middle 4 mi at planned marathon effort	Rest	5 mi easy run	20 mi long run; complete race-day rehearsal	40 mi
Week 16Taper	Rest	4 mi easy run	25 min easy cross-training or mobility	6 mi relaxed run; 2 mi at planned marathon effort	Rest	4 mi easy run	12 mi long run, controlled effort	26 mi
Week 17Taper	Rest	3 mi easy run	Rest or 20 min gentle mobility	4 mi relaxed run + 4 short strides	Rest	3 mi easy run	8 mi long run, conversational effort	18 mi

Week 18 · Race week

Shifted for the race's actual weekday. The first 17 weeks stay unchanged.

8 mi + race

Sun

Rest

Mon

3 mi easy run

Tue

Rest or 15 min gentle mobility

Wed

3 mi easy run + 4 short strides

Thu

Rest

Fri

2 mi shakeout, or rest

Sat

Marathon — 26.2 mi

This free plan is complete, fixed, and ready to use.

It begins at 15 miles per week, peaks at 40, and asks you to manage schedule changes and missed training yourself.

A Stride plan ranks from your running, then dates to race day.

Current mileage, recent longest run, marathon experience, goal, and available days decide which plans rank first.

Build My Plan

How to use this plan for Yuma Territorial Marathon

The mileage builds your engine. Your long-run route, pacing, fueling, and clothing rehearsals make that fitness specific to this race.

How to train for the Yuma Territorial Marathon

Train the Yuma Territorial Marathon for solitude and for a climate you probably do not live in. With fewer than a hundred marathon finishers and a flat highway shoulder for a course, there is no pack, no pacer to follow and no terrain change to break the rhythm. The skill this race demands is generating and holding your own pace for three to five hours with nothing external helping.

So make solo goal pace running a formal part of the plan, not an accident. Do at least four long runs alone, no music, on the flattest and least interesting road you can find, and practice the specific act of checking your pace and correcting it every couple of miles. That is the exact task race day will hand you.

The climate is the other half. Late January in the lower Colorado valley averages a high near 70F with very dry air, and most people training for this race are running through a northern winter. Dry heat raises your fluid loss while making it feel like you are barely sweating, so build a drinking schedule and follow it by clock rather than by thirst. If you can find a few warm, dry afternoons late in your block, use them.

Save something for the closing climb. Stride matches you to one of 14 marathon plans built on the most proven training methodologies in the sport, then maps every week from today to that 7 a.m. desert start.

Keep the plan honest. This free schedule contains no speedwork. Apply the course guidance through route choice and race rehearsal without turning easy days into extra workouts. If your goal calls for marathon-pace work, compare it with First Marathon Plus.

Match the terrain

Do several Yuma Territorial Marathon long runs on uninterrupted flat ground. With few terrain changes to reset your stride, steady pacing and late-run form matter more than hill speed.

Rehearse race morning

Late January around Yuma averages a high near 70F and a low near 47F, with the dry air typical of the lower Colorado River valley. No reliable start line temperature is published for this race, so plan for a cool morning that warms quickly and finish conditions well above what your winter training accustomed you to. Dry air hides sweat loss, so drink on a schedule.

Prepare for the hard part

The final stretch, where the roughly 74 feet you dropped in the opening mile has to be climbed back after twenty five miles run largely alone.

Check the starting line before you commit.

Beginner-friendly does not mean couch-to-marathon. Week one asks for four runs, 15 total miles, and a six-mile long run.

Fifteen miles in week one is close to the volume you already handle.
You can protect four run days most weeks, including a weekend long run.
Your priority is a steady first-marathon build without speedwork.
You can start around September 26, 2026 without forcing the early weeks.

Yuma Territorial Marathon course facts

Course: Mostly Out and Back · Mostly Flat · Road/Pavement
Highest / lowest point: 147 ft / 73 ft
Marathon finishers: 98 in 2026 (very small field)
Boston qualifier: Certified Boston qualifying course
Finishers running a qualifying time: 5.1% in 2026
Race day high / low: 70°F / 47°F on average

Sources

Yuma Territorial Marathon questions, answered.

When should I start this 18-week Yuma Territorial Marathon plan?

The 2027 Yuma Territorial Marathon is scheduled for January 30, 2027, so the 18-week window opens around September 26, 2026. Weeks one through 17 keep the normal weekly rhythm and Sunday long run; only the final race week shifts to the event's actual weekday. If that date has already passed, do not compress 18 weeks of mileage into a shorter window.

How should I adapt the four-day plan for the Yuma Territorial Marathon course?

Do several Yuma Territorial Marathon long runs on uninterrupted flat ground. With few terrain changes to reset your stride, steady pacing and late-run form matter more than hill speed. Train the Yuma Territorial Marathon for solitude and for a climate you probably do not live in. With fewer than a hundred marathon finishers and a flat highway shoulder for a course, there is no pack, no pacer to follow and no terrain change to break the rhythm. The skill this race demands is generating and holding your own pace for three to five hours with nothing external helping.

Is four days a week enough to train for the Yuma Territorial Marathon?

Four run days can be enough when 15 miles in week one is not a sudden jump and you can protect the long run most weeks. This schedule builds to a 40-mile peak and a 20-mile long run. A runner chasing an aggressive time or already supporting more volume may fit a higher-mileage plan better.

How small is the Yuma Territorial Marathon?

Very small. It had 98 marathon finishers in 2026, and between 40 and 53 in each of the four years before that. You will run long stretches alone with no crowd and no pace group. For runners who dislike crowded starts and jostling for tangents, that is the appeal rather than the drawback.

Is the Yuma Territorial Marathon course flat?

Nearly. It is an out and back on a highway shoulder sitting between about 73 and 147 feet, which the organizers describe as minimal elevation change. There is roughly 74 feet of descent in the opening stretch and the same amount of climbing near the finish, which is the one part worth pacing for.

The same four-day schedule, shaped around the course ahead.

Choose your race for its current date, course profile, typical race-morning conditions, and specific long-run guidance.