mile-to-marathon training
Started in 1979, this training is in its 45th year, and counting.
Are You Ready?
Whether you’re a seasoned marathon runner or considering this personal challenge for the first time, learn correct racing skills from an endurance training master who’s helped thousands of people make the Honolulu Marathon a life-changing experience.
The Experience of a Lifetime
The BC Endurance Mile-to-Marathon Training prepares beginner, intermediate, and advanced level racers for the Honolulu Marathon, including adjunct training programs for the Merrie Mile on and the Start-to-Park 10K.
Below you’ll find information about the 17-week training program, as well as how to secure your spot and get answers to any questions you might have.
Our Promise
You’ll complete the race of your choice (mile, 10k or 42k) enjoyably and competently, with expert guidance and friendly group support.
Safe and Injury-Free
Many programs push participants too hard, too soon, or too often so they become needlessly sick or injured. Four decades in the making, Brian Clarke’s unique methodology builds racing capacity, without injury and undue stress.
Advanced Racer Skills
You’ll build advanced skills and habits (see “6 Vital Skills You’ll Learn,” below). You’ll also build stamina, power, tempo, speed, and endurance, five abilities you’ll need for the race you’re training for, whether the mile, the 10K, or the marathon.
Group Support
You’ll train with others of your ability. Nobody gets left behind in any of our runner, jogger or walker groups. In this training, everyone benefits from the training discipline and the morale boost of friendly group support.
Six Vital Skills You'll Learn
Our program is the product of decades of development by master endurance trainer, Brian Clarke. We promise that you’ll finish the marathon knowing more about endurance training, and yourself.
Build 5 Racing Abilities
We know how to structure workout effort to build stamina, power, tempo, speed, and
endurance.
Develop Correct Posture
You’ll look and perform your best with less effort using correct posture.
Adopt Gentle Movement Stretching
You’ll learn to limber up for more vigorous exercise, without pain or injury.
Prevent Serious Injuries
You’ll learn how to get rid of minor injuries before they become serious. And, if you are already seriously injured, we’ll teach you how to rehabilitate so you can quickly return to normal, injury-free training.
Conquer Your Fear of Hills
Even if you’ve always hated hills, you’ll learn the do’s and don’ts of hill training, so you can do them safely, competently, and enjoyably.
Correct Pacing
You’ll learn to pace yourself in harmony with your body for best training and race results.
I’ve been running marathons for decades, but what’s really remarkable is that after 10-15 years of just accepting injury after injury, I have been injury-free for the year-and-a-half since I’ve been training with Brian. Many other programs push people too hard, but he really emphasizes rest and recovery in your training.
I’ve learned so much from Brian’s training programs. I realized that even though I did the Great Aloha Run many times, I really didn’t know that much about running. I didn’t know how to train properly. Brian’s not about just getting to the finish line, he teaches about proper form, proper technique, proper mindset.
Brian wants us to understand the science behind training. It’s not just going out every day and running hard. Sometimes it might look a little counter-intuitive, but at the end of the day it leads to results that can be sustained over the long term. I’ve learned that it’s not about running fast, it’s about running right.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you have a question that’s not addressed here, please email Brian. Thanks.
Do I have to be in shape to participate?
The Mile-to-Marathon Program is designed for athletes with beginner, intermediate, and advanced level experience. It is not appropriate for people in extremely poor health, nor is it geared toward elite athletes. If you’re unsure whether you can or should participate, please attend our annual information meetings (in early August) to have your concerns addressed.
What if I can't make all the enrollment period workout sessions?
Of course, life sometimes gets in the way of training. But the enrollment period includes six high-priority workouts. Those workouts bring everyone together so we can teach basic skills as a foundation for subsequent training. After the enrollment period, you can train alone or in-person in four separate locations on the weeknights, with a workout facilitator providing guidance via audio conference call. On Saturday mornings, everyone trains together as a group.
Can you explain your "hybrid" training methodology?
During the early days of the Covid-19 pandemic, BC Endurance experimented with Zoom-audio as a way to connect with athletes who were forced by pandemic rules to train individually. Obviously, we couldn’t use Zoom-audio-visual since it would be dangerous to watch a screen during a running workout. In the process, we discovered Zoom-audio as a new and powerful educational medium. It enables a workout facilitator to speak while athletes training alone or in groups listen to announcements, instructions, and discussions through their phone. Thus, our “hybrid” workouts combine in-person training with Zoom-audio technology to greatly enhance our training and educational experience.
What if I miss the Information Meeting?
The information meeting is the first session in a two-week enrollment period with learning activities at each session. By the end of the first two weeks, you should be able to do our three main workouts (including long runs, hills, and intervals) so you can train effectively and without injury, on your own or in a group during the rest of the training. If you are unable to attend the information meeting, you may listen to the recording which will be posted on the BC Endurance website.
Start Your Lifetime Health and Fitness Transformation.
Click the "Get Started" button and tell us about your fitness goals and interests. You will be added to our user list with access to the BC Endurance members-only website.