How to Set Running Goals: The A, B, C Priority System for Marathon Training

If you’re running multiple races throughout the year, you’ve probably faced this challenge: how do you balance training for several events without burning out? The answer lies in prioritizing your races using the A, B, C system—a strategic approach that helps you peak for your most important races while still enjoying other events along the way.

What Is the A, B, C Priority System?

The A, B, C priority system is a framework used by serious runners to categorize races based on importance and effort level. Instead of treating every race as equally important (which leads to overtraining and burnout), you designate races as:

• A Races: Your top priority races where you aim for peak performance
• B Races: Important races, but not your main focus—you’re fit but not fully tapered
• C Races: Training races, tune-ups, or fun runs where performance isn’t the priority

Most runners schedule 1-3 A races per year, 2-4 B races, and unlimited C races depending on their training volume and recovery ability.

A Races: Your Peak Performance Goals

What Makes a Race an “A” Priority?

A races are the events you build your entire training season around. These are races where you:

• Execute a full taper (usually 2-3 weeks of reduced training volume)
• Peak your fitness and arrive 100% fresh
• Chase a personal record, qualification time, or podium finish
• Put everything on the line for your best possible performance

Setting Goals for A Races

For A races, set three types of goals:

1. Dream Goal (Stretch Goal): Your best-case scenario if everything goes perfectly—ideal conditions, perfect pacing, great day. Example: Breaking 3:00 in the marathon.

2. Goal Time (Realistic Goal): What you’re genuinely trained to achieve based on recent workouts and fitness. Example: Running 3:05-3:08 for the marathon.

3. Minimum Acceptable Goal: The baseline performance you’ll be satisfied with even if conditions aren’t ideal. Example: Finishing sub-3:15 regardless of weather or how you feel.

Having three tiers prevents disappointment if race day doesn’t cooperate, while still giving you something ambitious to chase.

Examples of A Races

• Boston Marathon qualifying attempt
• Your goal marathon for the year (e.g., Chicago, Berlin, or NYC)
• National or regional championship race
• Age group podium attempt at a major race

B Races: Important But Not Peak Priority

What Makes a Race a “B” Priority?

B races are events where you’re fit and ready to race hard, but you haven’t tapered fully. You’ll show up in good shape—maybe 85-90% of your best—and race with effort, but peak performance isn’t the expectation.

B races often serve as:

• Tune-up races 6-8 weeks before an A race
• Season openers to test fitness
• Races that matter, but don’t warrant a full taper
• Events you want to perform well in, but without the pressure of your A race

Setting Goals for B Races

For B races, your goals should reflect that you’re fit but not fully rested:

• Effort-based goals: “Run at tempo effort for the half marathon to gauge marathon fitness”
• Specific workout goals: “Negative split the race” or “practice race nutrition strategy”
• Controlled time goals: “Run within 2-3% of my PR without full taper”

The key with B races is to race smart—don’t empty the tank or jeopardize training for your A race just to squeeze out a slightly better time.

Examples of B Races

• A half marathon 8 weeks before your goal marathon
• Spring 10K before fall marathon season
• Local championship race in a non-priority distance
• A race you care about, but that falls during a training block

C Races: Training Runs with Bibs

What Makes a Race a “C” Priority?

C races are fun runs, charity events, training races, or social experiences where performance isn’t the goal. You’re treating them as:

• Supported long runs with aid stations
• Opportunities to practice race logistics without pressure
• Social events with friends or running clubs
• Races that fit into your training schedule as a quality workout

Setting Goals for C Races

C race goals are flexible and low-pressure:

• “Complete it as part of my 18-mile long run training”
• “Run with my friend and enjoy the experience”
• “Practice taking nutrition every 3 miles”
• “Stay conversational for the first half, pick up pace in second half”

Examples of C Races

• Parkruns or weekly 5Ks
• Charity fun runs
• Training races during marathon buildup
• Turkey Trots or other holiday-themed events

How to Plan Your Race Calendar Using A, B, C Priorities

Step 1: Choose Your A Races First

Start by selecting 1-3 A races for the year. Space them at least 12-16 weeks apart to allow for proper training cycles and recovery. Most runners peak 2-3 times per year maximum.

Example annual plan:

• Spring A Race: Boston Marathon (April)
• Fall A Race: Chicago Marathon (October)

Step 2: Add B Races Strategically

Build in 2-4 B races that support your A race training. These typically fall 6-10 weeks before A races as tune-ups, or early in the season to test baseline fitness.

Example B races:

• Half marathon 8 weeks before Boston (February)
• 10-mile race 6 weeks before Chicago (September)

Step 3: Fill in C Races as Desired

Add C races that sound fun, keep you motivated, or work as training runs. Don’t overthink these—they’re meant to be enjoyable without pressure.

Example C races:

• Monthly parkruns
• Summer 5K series
• Training half marathon during marathon build

Step 4: Review and Adjust

Look at your calendar holistically. Ask yourself:

• Do I have enough recovery between hard efforts?
• Am I racing too often in the 8-10 weeks before an A race?
• Does this schedule allow me to arrive at A races fresh and motivated?

How to Track Goals and Race Priorities

Once you’ve set your race calendar and priorities, you need a system to track your goals and results. This is where keeping an organized race log becomes essential.

What to Track for Each Race

• Race priority (A, B, or C): So you remember which races mattered most
• Goal times and placement targets: What you were aiming for
• Actual results: Finish time, placement, age group ranking
• Post-race notes: What worked, what didn’t, lessons learned

Why You Need a Dedicated Race Log

Most runners track this in spreadsheets, notes apps, or try to remember it all. But as your race history grows, it becomes harder to see patterns, compare performances across years, or understand what training actually worked.

A dedicated race logging tool like RunningLog lets you:

• Assign A, B, C priorities to upcoming races
• Set goal times and placement targets for each race
• Compare actual results against your goals
• View your race calendar and see how priorities are distributed
• Track personal bests across distances
• Look back at years of race history to inform future goal setting

Instead of hunting through old race results or piecing together your history from memory, you have one organized place to see your progression and plan your next season.

Common Mistakes When Setting Race Goals

1. Making Every Race an A Race

You can’t peak for every race. Treating everything as equally important leads to chronic fatigue, subpar performances, and burnout. Choose your battles strategically.

2. Setting Goals Based on Best-Case Scenarios

Your goal pace shouldn’t be “the workout you nailed once in perfect conditions.” Base goals on consistent training performances and recent race results, not your best day ever.

3. Not Adjusting Goals Mid-Season

If training isn’t going well, or you’re dealing with injury, adjust your goals. There’s no shame in being realistic—it’s better than forcing a performance that isn’t there and risking injury.

4. Ignoring Lessons from Past Races

Your race history is valuable data. If you’ve crashed and burned chasing ambitious goals three times, that’s a pattern. Use your past performances to set smarter, more achievable goals going forward.

Real Example: Planning a Marathon Season

Let’s walk through a realistic example of how a runner might plan their year using A, B, C priorities:

Runner Profile: Sub-3:15 marathoner targeting a 3:05 finish to qualify for Boston.

Annual Race Plan

Spring Season:

• February: Half Marathon (B Race) – Goal: 1:28-1:30 to gauge marathon fitness
• April: Local Marathon (A Race) – Goal: Sub-3:05 Boston Qualifier

Summer:

• June-August: Monthly 5Ks (C Races) – Stay sharp, practice speed, social runs

Fall Season:

• September: 10-Mile Race (B Race) – Goal: Controlled tempo effort, 6:50/mile pace
• October: Chicago Marathon (A Race) – Goal: Sub-3:00 if conditions allow, sub-3:05 minimum

This plan allows two serious marathon buildups (spring and fall), uses B races strategically as tune-ups, and fills in C races to stay engaged without pressure.

Start Setting Smarter Running Goals Today

The A, B, C priority system isn’t about running fewer races—it’s about running smarter. By designating priorities, you can train hard when it matters, recover properly, and still enjoy racing throughout the year without burning out.

The key is tracking your goals and results over time so you can learn what works, adjust your training, and keep improving season after season.

Ready to organize your race calendar and set goals strategically? Start logging your races and priorities at RunningLog—it’s free to get started.

Have questions about race goal setting or the A, B, C priority system? Reach out on Instagram or Threads—we’d love to hear about your race plans!