2026 Summer Beyond Half and Full Marathon Training Program (Kalamazoo)
- Date
- July 11 – October 10, 2026
- Location
- P.O. Box 393, Portage, MI
- Distance
- 2026 Summer Beyond Half and Full Marathon Training Program (Kalamazoo)
From the Organizer
Thinking about training for your first half or full marathon and looking for a comprehensive training program in a fun and supportive environment? Completed one or more half and/or full marathons and looking to improve your race experience and meet new local runners?
Kalamazoo Area Runners (KAR) is pleased to introduce our half and full marathon training program! The 2026 Summer Beyond Half and Full Marathon Training Program (Kalamazoo) runs on Saturday mornings at 7 a.m. and follows schedules to prepare you for a fall half or full marathon. Training schedules target the Detroit and Grand Rapids Half/Full Marathons, but can be easily modified to fit many other fall races.
Membership in Kalamazoo Area Runners (KAR) is required to join the 2026 Summer Beyond Half and Full Marathon Training Program. The cost begins at $45, plus the cost of a KAR membership if not already a member ($25 individual/$35 family/$20 full-time student).
The 2026 Summer Beyond Half and Full Marathon Training Program (Kalamazoo) includes:
*Organized Saturday morning runs held on a variety of courses in greater Kalamazoo and Portage. The majority of runs offer a pre- and post-run indoor venue with restroom facilities.
*Saturday Runs begin at 7 a.m., with pre-run gathering time and instructions 15 minutes before the start time. This allows us to start early, getting your run done before all your fun weekend activities!
*Low, moderate, and high intensity half and full marathon training schedules with day-by-day workouts.
*Hydration out on the course
*SAG (Support and Gear) at each Saturday run.
*Weekly emails with training tips, schedules, and more
*Supportive and encouraging Team Leaders with pace groups ranging from under 8:00 min/miles to 12+ min/miles. Program leadership includes RRCA running coaches.
*A FUN and supportive summer training experience with shared camaraderie and team spirit.
Events
Weather
Typical Conditions
It's too far out for a forecast, so here's what weather on this date is normally like in the area. A race day forecast will replace this as race week approaches.
Typical High
83°
Typical Low
62°
Chance of Rain
35%
Based on US Climate Normals data from Kalamazoo Battle Ck Intl Ap, 4 mi from the venue.
Host City
About Portage, MI
Population
49,015
as of 2023
Elevation
873 ft
Nearest Airport
AZO
Kalamazoo/Battle Creek International Airport · 4 mi
Major Hub
GRR
Gerald R. Ford International Airport · 48 mi
Time Zone
Eastern Time
From Endurance Grid
A mid-size host city. Enough lodging and amenities to keep race weekend easy, without big-city sprawl.
Race Location
Your Next Start Line
What Are You
Waiting For?
Every finish line starts with a single decision. Claim your spot at 2026 Summer Beyond Half and Full Marathon Training Program (Kalamazoo), put it on the calendar, and turn “someday” into a start date.
33
Days to train
- Race
- 2026 Summer Beyond Half and Full Marathon Training Program (Kalamazoo)
- Date
- July 11 – October 10, 2026
- Location
- P.O. Box 393, Portage, MI
Coming Up
More Running races near Portage, MI
Get Ready to Run Training Camp
7 miles away
Kalamazoo Klassic
7 miles away
Schoolcraft Firecracker 5
5 miles away
Run Kalamazoo Move Through Summer
7 miles away
From Endurance Grid
About This Sport
Endurance Grid is here to help you understand the sport, decide if it's the right fit, and learn how to prepare. For course distances, logistics, and race-day specifics, always defer to the race organizer's event page.
The half marathon is the distance where you find out what you're actually made of. Long enough to demand real preparation. Short enough that it doesn't consume your life to train for it. Most people who run their first half describe it as the race that changed their relationship with what they're capable of. Once you cross this finish line, the bar moves. That's not a warning — that's the point.
Race day energy varies by event size, but the finish line feeling is the same regardless. Big races keep the noise going the whole way. Smaller races give you stretches where it's just you and the miles — and that solitude becomes its own kind of fuel.
The half marathon rewards people who show up for the boring training miles.
How long to train: 10–14 weeks. If you're already running consistently, 10 weeks of structured buildup is enough. If you're building from a casual base, give yourself 14.
Running
From 5K to marathon, running races are the most accessible entry point into endurance sport. There's a distance for every fitness level and a community at every start line.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- What is the 2026 Summer Beyond Half and Full Marathon Training Program (Kalamazoo)?
- 2026 Summer Beyond Half and Full Marathon Training Program (Kalamazoo) is a running race held in Portage, Michigan on July 11, 2026. It is one of the many endurance events listed on Endurance Grid, a multi-sport endurance event calendar covering running races, triathlons, HYROX, and more endurance sports across the United States. Find more running races near you or explore our sports guides to learn what race day actually feels like.
- When and where is the 2026 Summer Beyond Half and Full Marathon Training Program (Kalamazoo)?
- Saturday, July 11, 2026 in Portage, Michigan at P.O. Box 393, Portage, MI. Check the event page for exact start times and wave schedules.
- How do I register for the 2026 Summer Beyond Half and Full Marathon Training Program (Kalamazoo)?
- Registration is handled through the event's registration page. Confirm pricing and distances there, and sign up.
2026 Summer Beyond Half and Full Marathon Training Program (Kalamazoo)
Jul 11, 2026