Half Marathon Rowing Guide

The Half Marathon Distance

At 21,097 metres, the half marathon is Concept2's most popular long-distance challenge. It tests everything: aerobic capacity, fat oxidation, hydration strategy, and mental resilience. The Concept2 logbook ranks half marathon times, making it a competitive benchmark. Most rowers complete it in 75-100 minutes, with elite athletes finishing under 65 minutes.

Training Plan

Build towards the half marathon over 8-12 weeks. Start with a longest session of 30-40 minutes and add 5-10 minutes per week. Include 3-4 steady state sessions per week, one longer progressive piece, and one shorter interval session for variety. By race week, your longest single piece should be at least 60 minutes. Taper by reducing volume 20-30% in the final week while maintaining intensity.

Pacing and Fuelling

Pace the half marathon at UT2 intensity — approximately 18-22 seconds slower than your 2K split. Start conservatively; the first 5K should feel easy. Bring water and consider an energy gel or sports drink for efforts over 60 minutes. Practise your fuelling strategy in training — do not try anything new on race day.

Tips

• +Set the PM5 to show metres remaining, not time, for a more tangible countdown.
• +Stroke rate of 18-22 spm is sustainable for most athletes over this distance.
• +Have entertainment ready — audiobook, podcast, or music playlist.
• +Wear padded shorts or use a seat pad for comfort over 75+ minutes.
• +Log your half marathon in Watta to track your Effort Score over this demanding distance.

Further Reading

• Concept2 Training Resources — Official training guides and workout of the day from Concept2.
• British Rowing — Indoor Rowing — Training plans and resources from the national governing body.
• Concept2 Rankings — Global erg rankings by distance, age, and weight category.