Running in Portugal

Portugal's history is rich. The country was one of the greatest European powers from the 15th century onward, notably thanks to its fleet of ships. Its famous navigators ⛵️ gave the country undeniable historical prestige. Vasco da Gama was the first European to reach India by sea (1498). Ferdinand Magellan, for his part, is said to have completed the first circumnavigation (1519-1522) by passing south of Chile and Tierra del Fuego... Truly unforgettable in History! Facing the Atlantic 💦, Portugal is organized around its capital Lisbon and the economic hub of Porto. The two most important cities in the country compete in more than just football! We won't decide here between these two coastal cities; it all depends on personal taste 😁. What is certain is that they both have incredible charm 😍! Of course, we invite you to discover—always in moderation—Port wine, whose vineyards line the Douro Valley, a river that rises in Spain and flows into the Atlantic... at Porto. The north of the country is quite mountainous, while the center and south are more suitable for agriculture, with large expanses of plateaus and plains. Various island areas are also remarkable, such as the whole of the Azores and the island of Pico, home to Portugal's highest peak ⛰, Mount Pico (2,351 meters). The country has a unique way of life and its people have a great sense of hospitality... So, pastéis de nata or bacalhau? 😋 You'll decide on site!

You can find the full race calendar here in Portugal. Trail, walking, half marathon or marathon, the birthplace of Cristiano Ronaldo ⚽️ is generous—you'll surely find what you're looking for. Road runners have already taken note of the Lisbon Marathon, the Lisbon Half Marathon or even the Porto Marathon and the Porto Half Marathon, races that will let you combine sporting pleasure with epicurean pleasure. The bay of the Portuguese capital is timeless... Still in Lisbon, this time on the trails along the Tagus River, the Ultra Maratona Caminhos Do Tejo offers its competitors two courses, both counting toward the UTMB. Did we mention Cristiano? Fans—and there are many—can make a pilgrimage to the island of Madeira, where the star grew up, and run the MIUT® - Madeira Island Ultra-Trail®. Breathtaking coastal scenery is on the menu for this trail... Mountain lovers ⛰ can head inland and reach the Serra da Estrela mountain range. This is the area where the aptly named Oh Meu Deus (Oh My God) race takes place. Will it come with its share of miracles? Your result will tell us. Speaking of miracles, two Portuguese athletes achieved them and entered the great History of Athletics. Carlos Lopes in 1984 after his victory at the Los Angeles Olympic Games and Rosa Mota 4 years later at the Seoul Olympic Games in 1988...

Portugal has many more playgrounds in store for multi-discipline athletes 🏊. Triathletes have two top events on Portuguese soil. In Cascais, at the gates of Lisbon, the Ironman Portugal offers two formats, half or full, on a course that runs alongside the region's castles, with a 3.8 km swim in the Atlantic and a marathon to finish under the sun of the Portuguese Riviera 🏰. In Portimão, in the Algarve, the TRITON WORLD FINALS features an original format: swimming, cycling and running take place over three consecutive days, individually or as a team, over three different distances. A world circuit final accessible even to non-qualified athletes via an open format—enough to rub shoulders with the best 💪. Gravel enthusiasts also have terrain made for them: the Ride Across Portugal offers a crossing of the country in six stages, from the Douro to the cliffs of Sagres, between mountain roads, the plateaus of the Alentejo and the Atlantic coast 🚴. A two-wheeled adventure that tours the country without missing a thing.