Destination Training Winter 2025-2026 Powered by Asics

Destination Training | Winter 2025-2026
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Louisiana Marathon, Half Marathon, Window World Louisiana Quarter Marathon & 5K  
January 17-18, 2026 
 

We’re thrilled to announce the return of our annual Winter Destination Training! For 2026, our goal race takes us to Baton Rouge, Louisiana with event options for everyone: 5K, Quarter Marathon (10K+), Half Marathon, or Marathon. Kids can join the fun too with a 1-Mile Kid’s Marathon and the adorable Diaper Dash.  

Runners will experience the picturesque roadways of Baton Rouge—from downtown to the University Lakes, the LSU campus, and historic neighborhoods—while being cheered on by friends, family, and enthusiastic spectators. Best of all, you’ll share the camaraderie of race weekend with your Fleet Feet teammates! 
 
While the highlight is celebrating in a warm destination with your running friends after 10 weeks of training, travel is optional—though highly encouraged. (Just ask the 30–50+ participants who’ve made the trip in past years how much fun it is!) Many runners also use this program for accountability and to maintain fitness during the challenging winter months. Weekend routes are typically out-and-back, giving you the flexibility to adjust your mileage or time on your feet—even if you’re not targeting a specific race. 

TRAINING PROGRAM REGISTRATION CLOSED

INFORMATIONAL MEETING 

Join us at Fleet Feet Madison to learn more about the training program and race weekend travel. We’ll cover training plans, group events, hotel information, and answer any questions. 

Date: Monday, November 3 @ 7:00 p.m. 
Location: Fleet Feet Madison – 8440 Old Sauk Rd. 

GOAL RACE INFORMATION 

Goal Race: Louisiana Marathon, Half Marathon, Window World Louisiana Quarter Marathon or 5K 
 
Team Race Discount Code: Good for a 10% off registration. Discount code will be provided in a confirmation email. 

Packet Pick-Up: 

Raising Cane’s River Center Ballroom – Baton Rouge, LA 

• Friday, January 16, 2026 | 11:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. 

• Saturday, January 17, 2026 | 10:00 a.m.– 5:00 p.m. 

Race Day Packet Pick-Up (AZ Young Park): 

• Saturday, Jan. 17 | 6:00–7:30 a.m. (Quarter & 5K) | 6:00–10:00 a.m. (Kids) 

• Sunday, Jan. 18 | 5:30–6:30 a.m. (Marathon & Half) 

 
Race Start Times: 

• Saturday, Jan. 17: Quarter & 5K – 8:00 a.m. | Kids Marathon – 10:15 a.m. | Diaper Dash – 2:00 p.m. 

• Sunday, Jan. 18: Marathon & Half Marathon – 7:00 a.m. 

Course Time Limits: 

• 5K: 2 hrs 15 min (43:30/mi) 

• Quarter Marathon: 2 hrs 15 min (20:30/mi) 

• Half Marathon: 4 hrs (18:20/mi) 

• Marathon: 6 hrs (13:45/mi) 

TRAINING PROGRAM DETAILS 

Key Dates: 

• Program Duration: Wednesday, November 12 – Sunday, January 18, 2026 

• Kick-Off: Wednesday, Nov. 12 @ 7:15 p.m. | Fleet Feet Madison 

• First Group Run: Saturday, November 15, 2025 @ 8:00 a.m.  

Program Cost:  

• Early Bird: $99 (through Nov. 1) 

• Regular: $119 (Nov. 1 to Nov. 12) 

• Late Registration: $129 (Nov. 13 and after) 

*Race entry not included 

Registration Deadline:  
Wednesday, November 12, 2025 

Training Program Communication: 
All paid participants will receive their first group email by November 12, 2025 (or shortly after registration if sign-up is after November 12). Weekly emails will be sent on Mondays and supply all the information needed for each week of training (routes, meeting locations, events, etc.). 

Kick-Off/Winter Running Seminar:  
Wednesday, November 12 @ 7:15 p.m. - Fleet Feet Madison (8440 Old Sauk Rd.) 
This meeting will be informational. We will cover safety concerns and requirements, training plans and program details, and discuss how we can help meet your needs this season. We will also outline how to successfully dress and prepare to train outdoors throughout the winter months.  
 
Training Plans:  
You will have the option of 2 training plans:  

• Half Marathon 

• Marathon 

*You are not required to follow a particular distance training plan. Weekend routes are typically out-and-back to allow for running time/mileage customization for those who may not be targeting a specific event, who wish to use the program for accountability purposes, and/or those who simply want to maintain fitness over the winter.  

Group Runs & Fun Runs:  

Coached and supported group runs will take place on Saturday mornings at 8:00 a.m. at varied locations around the Madison area, including both Fleet Feet stores.  
 
We encourage all participants to also take part in weekly fun runs for additional mileage. This will give you multiple options to get your runs in with a group throughout the week (the key to success in winter running!). See website for dates and meeting location specifics. 

• Monday Fun Runs @ 6:00 p.m. – Fleet Feet Madison and Fleet Feet Sun Prairie 

• Thursday Pub Runs @ 6:15 p.m. – rotating pubs around Madison.  

• Sunday Coffee Runs @ 8:00 a.m. - 1-2x /month (Nov. - Jan.) 

Races:  
We encourage runners to participate in the following local fall/winter races for some extra fun and motivation! Discount codes provided in confirmation email upon registration. 

• Birdie Derby (5K/10K): Thursday, November 27 (Join the Fleet Feet team!) 

• New Year’s Day Dash (2 mile/5 mi.): January 1, 2026 

Base Mileage Recommendations: 
These recommendations are in place to help you stay safe, healthy, and injury free throughout the winter season. Due to the duration of this program (10 weeks), programming is designed to build on an existing fitness foundation. If you have any questions or concerns about these recommendations, please contact Coaches Jacky and Stefany.  

• Half Marathon: Long run 5–6 miles; weekly mileage 10–15 miles (comfortably running 3–4 miles, 3–4x/week). 

• Full Marathon: Long run 12–13 miles; weekly mileage 20–25 miles (or recent half marathon completion) 

 Running Experience and Pace Recommendations: 

• All participants should have completed a 10K or half marathon within the past year. 

• For those interested in FULL MARATHON TRAINING – we highly recommend you be able to maintain an average 13-14 minute/mile pace before registering for the full marathon program.   

 Program Perks: 

• Weekly emails providing motivation, coaching, and advice for your training 

• A complete 10-week training plan leading up to the Louisiana Marathon events 

• Coached and supported group runs on Saturday mornings 

• Fun run options to help you stay motivated throughout the week (fun runs + coffee runs) 

• Valuable Fleet Feet coupon book with discounts on such items as apparel, winter accessories, socks, shoe traction, and other winter running gear to help you train successfully 

• Electrolyte and nutrition samplings 

• Vendor partner wear tests and giveaways 

• Exclusive Fleet Feet gear item 

• Educational events and workshops to supplement your training  

• Discounted (15% off) registration into Birdie Derby Thursday, November 27 

• Discounted registration (50% off) into Fleet Feet New Year’s Day Dash on January 1, 2026 

• Discounted race entry (10% off) into all Louisiana Marathon weekend events 

• Motivation and camaraderie to get outside in the winter and run (IT CAN BE DONE – even in Wisconsin!) 

TRAVEL 

Travel Days: 
January 15, 2026 – January 19, 2026  

3-4 nights, Fly In: Thursday, January 15 or Friday, January 16. Fly Out: Monday, January 19. We recommend booking an EARLY flight on Friday or flying in on Thursday since you are more likely to have flight delays/issues in the winter. 

Flights:  
Each participant is responsible for booking their own flight. We recommend flying into Baton Rouge Metropolitan Airport (BTR) and renting a car, carpooling with your fellow trainees, or taking a shuttle. The airport is 7.5 miles from our host hotel, just a ten-minute drive! We can help you make these connections throughout training. 

Lodging: 

A hotel block discount is available at the Courtyard Baton Rouge Downtown, 260 Third Street Baton Rouge. The cutoff date for our block is December 16, 2025. 

Located at the iconic corner of Florida and Third Street, the Courtyard by Marriott Baton Rouge Downtown is in the epicenter of Downtown Baton Rouge. Four blocks from the Start/Finish and with a Starbucks inside, it's your perfect race hotel. Enjoy a grab-and-go breakfast race morning, as well as late checkout options.    

 Group hotel booking link provided in confirmation email. 
 
Hotel Group Rates: 

January 15, 2026 - January 19, 2026 

• Double Queen Standard Guest Room: $179 a night 

• King Standard Guest Room with Sofa Bed: $179 a night 

Hotel room rates are subject to applicable state and local taxes (currently 18.50%) in effect at the time of check-out. 

Parking: Hotel parking is available 

• Overnight Valet Parking: $25 per day; per vehicle 

Transportation: 

You are responsible for your own transportation from the airport to the hotel and vice versa. The best option is to split this cost with other participants with a rental car or other mode of transportation. Once everyone has made their flight arrangements, we will combine all flight information to help you make carpool connections. We also have a private Facebook group that can be used to communicate with other participants while in Baton Rouge.  

Dining: 

There will be two organized group dinners/socials while in Baton Rouge. One will take place early Saturday evening and another Sunday night. You are responsible for finding your own meals for the remainder of your stay. Meal cost is not included in the training program registration. More details will be provided soon. 

CONTACTS

For more information about the Winter 2026 Destination Training Program: 

Fleet Feet Madison: 8440 Old Sauk Rd. Madison, WI 53562 

P: 608.833.9999                                                                                      

Jacky Hernandez | jacky@fleetfeetmadison.com | Fleet Feet Madison Retail Experience Manager 

Stefany Grainger | stefany@fleetfeetmadison.com | Training Program Coach