Best road races to get back into competition (April–May)

If you’ve been training over the past few months and starting to feel that competitive itch again… this is your moment.

April and May mark the real start of the racing season in Portugal. The weather is ideal, the race calendar is packed, and there are options for every level — whether you’re easing back in or ready to push your limits.

In this guide, we’ve selected some of the best road races to help you return to competition with confidence.

🌱 Why race in April and May?

• Mild temperatures → ideal for performance
• Wide variety of distances and events
• Perfect timing to build towards summer races
• Strong race atmosphere across the country

👉 It’s the perfect balance between fitness, conditions, and motivation.

📍 Featured races (April–May)

🏁 April 12

• Lisbon Eco Marathon
  📍 Lisbon
  Marathon (42 km), Half Marathon (21 km), Mini Marathon (13 km), Walk (~8 km)
• 12th Ilha Verde Half Marathon
  📍 Ponta Delgada, São Miguel
  21 km, 10 km, 5 km, walk and youth races

🏁 April 19

• Caixa Race 2026
  📍 Lisbon
  12 km race, 5 km walk and Kids Race
• LX Triathlon Grand Prix Run
  📍 Lisbon
  Half Marathon (21 km), 10 km, walk and kids race

🏁 April 25–26

• Freedom Run Lisbon 2026
  📍 Lisbon
  11 km, 5 km, walk and kids
• European Marathon Aveiro
  📍 Aveiro
  Marathon, Half Marathon, 10K and walk

🏁 May: more races, more intensity

• Remax White Women’s Run Coimbra
  📍 Coimbra
  5 km run and walk
• 24 Hours Running – Mem Martins Sintra
  📍 Mem Martins
  24h, 12h, 3h and night marathon
• Wings for Life World Run
  📍 Lisbon
• Cortegaça Half Marathon
  📍 Praia de Cortegaça
  21 km, 10 km and walk
• Cantarinhas Half Marathon
  📍 Bragança
  5 km, 10 km, half marathon and walk

🏁 May 17

• Mimosa Pela Vida
  📍 Lisbon
  5 km
• FPF Run
  📍 Lisbon
  10 km and walk

🏁 May 25

• Douro Wine Half Marathon
  📍 Peso da Régua
  21 km and walk
• Women’s Run Porto 2026
  📍 Porto
  5 km run and walk

🏁 May 31

• Run4Children Almada Fórum
  📍 Almada
  10 km, walk, cycling and youth races

🎯 How to choose the right race

Before signing up, ask yourself:

• Are you coming back or aiming to compete hard?
• Do you want a short distance or a half marathon?
• Do you prefer a fast course or a challenging one?

👉 The right choice makes all the difference in your motivation.

🚀 Tips to return to racing

• Don’t go all-in too soon — build progressively
• Use your first race as a benchmark
• Focus on the experience, not just the time
• Enjoy the race atmosphere

👀 Ready to race again?

If you’re reading this, you already know the answer.

It’s time to choose your next race.

👉 Explore more events in Portugal