7 Mistakes Runners Make When Choosing a Race (and How to Avoid Them)
Choosing a race should be exciting. But a lot of runners end up picking the wrong race for the wrong reasons — and only realize it when it’s too late.
If you’ve ever signed up for something and thought “why did I choose this?”, this is for you.
1. Choosing a race just because it’s popular
Big races look great on Instagram. But that doesn’t mean they’re right for you.
- Crowded starts
- Logistics can be stressful
- Harder to run your own pace
👉 A smaller or less obvious race can often give you a much better experience.
For example, instead of going straight for the biggest events, you could look at something like the
👉 Corrida de Santiago de Subarrifana
More local, simpler, and often a much smoother race day.
2. Ignoring elevation
A “10K is a 10K”… until it’s not.
Two races with the same distance can feel completely different depending on the course.
👉 Trail races like:
or
can be way more demanding than expected — even at shorter distances.
3. Not matching the race with your goal
If your goal is to:
- PB → don’t pick a technical trail
- Enjoy → don’t pick a super competitive race
- Train → don’t pick something too intense
👉 If you’re aiming for a smoother, more controlled effort, something like the
Meia Maratona Atlântico Ocidental
can make a lot more sense than a highly technical course.
4. Leaving it too late
Waiting too long =
❌ sold out races
❌ higher prices
❌ limited options
👉 Popular and unique races like the
XVII Meia Maratona na Areia
tend to fill up quickly — especially because of the different experience they offer.
5. Underestimating travel and logistics
You might find the “perfect race”… 4 hours away.
Ask yourself:
- Do I need accommodation?
- What time does it start?
- How stressful will race morning be?
👉 A Lisbon-based runner might find it much easier to go for something like the
IX Lisboa Green Trail
instead of dealing with long travel before race day.
6. Trying something new on race day
New distance, new terrain, new gear… all at once?
That’s risky.
👉 If you’re curious about trail, races like
StepUp Trail Nossa Senhora do Pranto
can be a great way to start without going too extreme.
7. Overthinking everything
This is the biggest one.
You compare:
- dates
- locations
- distances
- weather
- reviews
…and end up choosing nothing.
👉 The truth: most races will give you a great experience.
Even something more demanding like the
XIX Ultra Maratona Caminhos do Tejo
can be an incredible goal — if it matches where you are right now.
🏁 So what should you do?
Pick something that:
✔ Fits your current level
✔ Matches your goal
✔ Excites you
And go for it.
👉 Ready to choose your next race?
Explore hundreds of races across Portugal here.
