São João Race 2025
Corrida de São João
- Next event : Sun, June 15, 2025Date confirmed
The event in a few words
Shuuu! 🫡 Cristiano Ronaldo can leave his cleats in the locker room 👟, because it's you who will shine today! Do you know Porto? You will get to know its gentle sister: Vila Nova de Gaia. Opposite the second city Portuguese 🇵🇹, Vila Nova de Gaia welcomes you in the month of June, for its famous Corrida de São João 🏃♀️, and it's not about bulls... This time you won't dance with the animal 🐃, but with the wind from the Atlantic coast! 🌬️ Choose between the 10 km 🏃♂️, or swap the timer ⏱️ for hiking shoes, and embark on 7 km of countryside walk 🚶. And you will find no excuse to miss it 🙂↔️. The Corrida de São João of Vila Nova de Gaia, always takes place around the Saint-Jean ✝️, giving you the opportunity to excel in the country of small flan 🍮 (of pastel de Nata, we're just kidding 😅), while partying 🎊.
Indeed, our dear Portuguese friends are very attached to their traditions, and everything is an excuse to party! Immerse yourself in the good mood of the locals and their warm support 🫶 during this sporting and cultural experience 🤓. There, the wind lashes and the smiles warm... ☀️ Located on the south bank ⬇️ of the Douro River, right on the seaside 🌊, Vila Nova de Gaia is a charming city often overshadowed by Porto. Yet! This picturesque piece of land hosts one of the oldest races in the country during a cult traditional festival! ⏳ Perfect for your checklist of atypical races 😉. Indeed, the setting is magnífico! Accessible from the famous Dom Luís I Bridge 🌉, which connects the capital to Vila Nova de Gaia, the race will take you through the pedestrian streets of Canidelo, the Continal de Corrida de São João or along the Praia de Miramar! 🌴 A rather pleasant city tour in a few kilometers: É canja! 🐓 On top of that, the Saint-Jean is the typical festival of the region... Little culture moment, Jamy: the festival originated in the summer solstice ☀️, and was a pagan tradition. It celebrated the fertility of the lands 🌾, and the abundance of the long months of the summer season ⛱️. It was later that the Church transformed this festival into a religious celebration ✝️. Today it is a moment when everyone gathers in the streets for barbecues 🍖, street concerts 🪇, dance 💃, and... hammer blows! 🔨 No, no, you read that right, the tradition is to gently tap the heads of everyone: with leeks for women's heads 👩, and lemongrass for men 👨. But times have changed, and fruits and vegetables 🥬 have been replaced by small plastic hammers! So don't worry if they gently tap your head to motivate you at the start of your race 🤪.
And after the effort, the comfort! 🙌 Promise us not to miss the wonders around you ✨. Just an hour's drive 🛣️, dive into the excitement of Porto... But that's not all! The region is also famous for its wine cellars 🍷, and the expertise of local winemakers - (excessive drinking is dangerous, consume with moderation). The Portuguese rank eighth among the world's leading vineyards! 🌍 For art and history lovers, the Monastery da Serra do Pilar will open its doors for worthwhile visits! ⛪️ End your tour of the country with beautiful seaside walks from the fishing village of Afurada 🎣, and follow the pedestrian trail to Praia de Lavadores.
Make your sporting getaway a real moment of pleasure alone, as a couple, or with family! 😍
4 reasons to join this race
A distance for every taste
10 kmTOP
7 km
- Sunday, June 15, 2025 at 9:00 AM
- 1 loopx10 km
A few more words
You will start from the pedestrian zone of Canidelo 🚶, follow the Rua da Praia and pass through the Rotunda do Linhó. You will climb the Avenida Deoceliano Monteiro 🧗♀️, then continue with Rua da Bélgica, Rua Jorge Dias and Rua Thom, before dashing onto the Avenida Beira Mar, gazing towards the ocean 🌊. Just before the Rua João Paulo II, you will turn around ↩️, stronger than on the way there 🏁. The way back will follow the same route, but this time you will know every turn, every climb 📈. At the Praceta de S. Pedro, the last push, the last meters... And finally, the finish line in the pedestrian zone : you’ll be there, finisher! 🏅
Walking 7 km
Walking- Sunday, June 15, 2025 at 9:00 AM
- 1 loopx7 km
A few more words
Start the 7 km walk at Canidelo, a charming coastal route! 😍 You will follow the Rua da Praia, then pass the Rotunda do Linhó before tackling the Avenida Deoceliano Monteiro. Next, you'll progress along Rua da Bélgica, Rua Jorge Dias and Rua Thom, until you reach Avenida Beira Mar 🌊. Just before Rua João Paulo II, you'll turn around ↩️. Then, with momentum 🏃♂️, you’ll return through the same streets, carried by the atmosphere 🎉, with the sea as your backdrop 🌅. The finish line? 🏁 It will be waiting where it all began, in the pedestrian area of Canidelo. Bom trabalho! 👏
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
For the 10 km race:
Until April 30: 13 €
From May 1 to May 31: 15 €
From June 1 to June 10: 17 €
Last minute (June 13 and 14 at Alameda shopping center): 20 €
For the 7 km walk:
Until April 30: 9 €
From May 1 to May 31: 10 €
From June 1 to June 10: 11 €
Last minute: 15 €
A participant kit including a t-shirt, a timing chip (10 km), the bib, refreshments, and an electronic diploma.
At Alameda Shop & Spot shopping center:
On June 13: from 10am to 11pm
On June 14: from 10am to 11pm
You must present an ID and the confirmation of your registration with your bib number.
On June 15, 2025, at 9:00 am, from the pedestrian area of Canidelo, in Vila Nova de Gaia, for both events (10 km and 7 km).
No, no medical certificate is required, even for the timed race.
Refreshment points are planned from the 5th km and then every 5 km. Depending on the weather, additional stations may be added.
For the 10 km race: participants must be born in 2007 or earlier (18 years old in 2025).
The walk is open to all ages.Yes, the maximum duration of the event is 2 hours for both the race and the walk.
Yes, only for the 10 km race. Rankings concern general and veteran categories (men and women).
There is no ranking for the walk.In mid-June in Portugal, you can expect warm and sunny weather, with temperatures around 20 to 28 °C. Remember to bring water and a cap.
There is a storage area near the finish where you can leave your bag (identified with your bib number).
No showers or changing rooms mentioned. Bring what you need to change if necessary.Email: geral@runporto.com
Phone: +351 22 030 47 26
Postal address: Rua António Silva Torres 128 A, 4475-455 Nogueira da Maia, Portugal
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