Cannock Chase Running Festival (Half Marathon) 2026

10-14 weeks is a solid window for a first half marathon; 8-10 weeks is enough if you're already maintaining a baseline mileage. Build your long run up gradually rather than jumping straight to race distance.

This is a largely flat course, so most of your long runs can mirror that — flat and steady, building time on feet rather than hill strength.

Reduce overall mileage across the final 7-10 days while preserving short race-pace bursts. Arrive at Birches Valley, Cannock Chase Forest, Rugeley WS15 2UQ fresh, energized, and primed — not fit, fresh.

Lock in your target pace using the interactive splits calculator below — no official pacers are confirmed for this event, so a pace band on your watch is the more reliable option.

Test your race-day fuel and hydration plan on your long training runs, not for the first time on race day — check the Race Day Checklist below for what's actually on this course.

A normal diet is fine. There is no need to carb-load for a race of this length.

Eat a carbohydrate-focused breakfast two to three hours before the start, and stick to something you've already tested in training rather than trying anything new.

Fluid at the on-course stations is usually enough; some runners take a single gel around the hour mark.

A mix of carbohydrate and protein in the hour or so after finishing supports recovery.