Is the 2:19 Marathon or the 1:05 HM easier for a college senior to achieve?

bumper

1:05 is easier initially because top collegiate 5k+ guys are already pretty well trained for half-marathon. Training for the full requires a different approach but the half doesn't really.

In the long run, I think more people are capable of 2:19 than are capable of 1:05, but you get fewer shots at 2:19 and more things can go wrong in a full.

bump

bump

been around the block wrote:

1:05 is easier initially because top collegiate 5k+ guys are already pretty well trained for half-marathon. Training for the full requires a different approach but the half doesn't really.

In the long run, I think more people are capable of 2:19 than are capable of 1:05, but you get fewer shots at 2:19 and more things can go wrong in a full.

This is a reasonable answer. 2:19 is a softer mark, but the remark about college training translating to the half is correct. IIRC 1:05 translates to ~2:16:30. XC training is virtually identical to half training, which is something I wish I'd realized in college. I might've tried a hard half after nats my senior year.

Also, you can race 3-4 hard 1/2s a year, but you only get 1-2 shots at the marathon.

Also consider your strengths. If XC was your best event, you might be better off pursuing 2:19. But if you were more of a 1500/5k guy, you might be geared better for the half.

Or you should continue improving your 1500/5000 instead of moving up in distance for no reason...