Which edition is this?

The 4th edition, published in 2022 (ISBN 1718203667).

What distances does it cover?

Plans from 800 meters through ultradistance and triathlon, plus four fitness plans from novice to elite.

Is it good for beginners?

It includes fitness plans that start at novice level, but it is most useful to runners willing to follow a structured, pace-based plan.

Is Daniels' Running Formula worth it?

For a runner training toward a specific race who likes structure, yes - it gives pace-based plans for almost every distance.

What is in the 4th edition?

It is refined with Daniels' Run SMART Project research and has 31 plans and workouts plus four fitness plans.

Daniels' Running Formula, 4th Edition by Jack Daniels (Paperback)

For Him / Her / Kids

Daniels' Running Formula — the training manual for their next goal race

Name: Daniels' Running Formula, 4th Edition by Jack Daniels (Paperback)
Brand: Human Kinetics
Price: 16.99 USD

Daniels' Running Formula, 4th Edition by Jack Daniels (Paperback)

Reviewed by the WhyToBuyThis team · Updated September 2026 · How we choose

Perfect for

Goal-race training
Marathon and half-marathon runners
Pace-based plans
Under $30

Check it out

Price: $16.99

Price may change on Amazon. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. This won't cost you anything extra.

Great gift ideaChosen for real-world gifting
Hand-pickedCurated, not scraped
Honest reviewThe catch, not just the hype

Why this gift works

Daniels' Running Formula is coach Jack Daniels' training manual, built around his VDOT system for setting training paces from a recent race result. The fourth edition, published by Human Kinetics in 2022, has 18 chapters, 31 training plans and workouts covering 800 meters through ultradistance and triathlon, and four fitness plans from novice to elite. It also covers treadmill, altitude and environmental training, with pace tables in the appendix.

This is the gift for the runner with a target on the calendar - a first marathon, a faster half, a fall 5K. It is technical, with tables and structured weeks, so it rewards someone who likes a plan more than someone who runs for the scenery.

Who is this gift for?

Great for

A runner training for a first marathon
Someone chasing a personal best
A runner who likes numbers and plans

Think twice if

They run purely for fun
They already follow a coach's plan

The catch

It is a technical coaching manual with VDOT tables and structured plans, not a casual read, and older editions are still listed - make sure you get the 4th edition.

Skip for a runner who runs for fun and would rather read a story - Born to Run suits them better.

Key specs

Daniels' Running Formula, 4th Edition by Jack Daniels (Paperback) specifications
Author	Jack Daniels
Edition	4th edition, 2022
Publisher	Human Kinetics
Format	Paperback, 320 pages
Plans	31 plans and workouts, 800 m to ultra and triathlon
ISBN	1718203667 / 9781718203662

Worth knowing before you buy

It is a 320-page paperback.
Older editions and the ebook are separate listings.

Why we like it

Paces set from their own race results
Plans for almost every distance
Written by a veteran running coach
Current 2022 edition

What to look for in a running training book

Their goal. Pick a book with plans for the distance they are training for; this covers 800 m to ultra.
Pacing method. Pace-based plans like VDOT suit runners who race and track times.
Edition. Training advice moves on - buy the latest edition.