7 Races to Break the Routine Before the End of 2026
Summer may be over, but the running calendar is far from finished.
The final months of the year bring some of the most interesting races of the season: half marathons, trail races, night events and, of course, the traditional São Silvestre races in December.
So, if you still have room for one more race in 2026 — or simply need a new goal to keep you training through autumn — we have selected 7 different races to add to your calendar.
All of them had registration available at the time of publication.
1. For a piece of running history: 50th Nazaré International Half Marathon
📍 Nazaré
📅 15 November 2026
🏃 21.1 km | 10 km | 8 km walk
You do not get the chance to take part in the 50th edition of a race every year.
The Nazaré International Half Marathon reaches that milestone in November and is a great option for anyone who still wants to run 21 km before the end of the year.
The course is mostly flat, with both the start and finish in Nazaré, and the event also includes the traditional 10 km Volta à Nazaré and an 8 km walk.
So even if a half marathon is not part of your plans yet, there are other ways to be part of this special edition.
👉 View the 50th Nazaré International Half Marathon on RaceFinder
2. For your first trail race: Pinga Trail
📍 Arruda dos Vinhos
📅 6 December 2026
🏃 23 km | 16 km | 10 km walk
If you have spent the whole year on the road, December might be the right time to change terrain.
The Pinga Trail, in Arruda dos Vinhos, offers two trail distances: 23 km for those looking for a bigger challenge and 16 km for anyone after a slightly more accessible option.
The routes pass through military paths and historic forts in the Vale Encantado area, combining elevation, technical terrain and scenery.
There is also a 10 km walk for anyone who wants to take part without racing.
👉 Register for Pinga Trail through RaceFinder
3. For a race after sunset: SPT Urban Night Trail – Alenquer
📍 Alenquer
📅 5 December 2026
🏃 13 km trail | 8 km walk
Trail running already changes the feel of a race.
Now add darkness, lights and the streets of Alenquer in December.
The SPT Urban Night Trail – Alenquer Presépio de Portugal combines an urban setting with trail running over a 13 km course held after sunset.
The event starts and finishes at Largo Espírito Santo and also includes an 8 km walk.
It is a good option for anyone who wants to try a night race without immediately committing to a long-distance trail.
👉 Discover the SPT Urban Night Trail on RaceFinder
4. For a major race-day atmosphere: Porto Marathon
📍 Porto
📅 8 November 2026
🏃 42.195 km | 10 km | 6 km
You do not need to run a marathon to take part in a marathon weekend.
The Porto Marathon returns in November and, alongside the full 42.195 km distance, also offers a 10 km race and a 6 km option.
The main race follows Porto’s Atlantic waterfront on a mostly flat course, with thousands of runners sharing the same race-day atmosphere.
If 42 km are not part of your plans, the 10K is a much more accessible way to experience one of Portugal’s major running events.
👉 Find your distance at the Porto Marathon
5. For a proper night trail: Valongo Night Trail
📍 Valongo
📅 12 December 2026
🏃 21 km | 13 km | 9 km walk
If the urban night trail in Alenquer still sounds a little too civilised, there is a more adventurous option.
The Valongo Night Trail takes runners into the trails of Serra de Quinta Rei after sunset.
There are two competitive distances — 21 km and 13 km — plus a 9 km walk.
Here, a headlamp stops being an accessory and becomes an essential part of the race.
With a limit of 750 participants, it is also the kind of event you may not want to leave until the last minute.
👉 Register for the Valongo Night Trail
6. For the start of São Silvestre season: São Silvestre El Corte Inglés
📍 Lisbon
📅 13 December 2026
🏃 10 km | 5 km walk | kids race
December in Portugal means one thing for runners: São Silvestre season begins.
The São Silvestre El Corte Inglés takes place in central Lisbon, starting and finishing at Praça do Duque de Saldanha.
The main race covers 10 km and passes through areas such as Campo Grande, Avenida da República, Campo Pequeno and Entrecampos.
The event also includes a 5 km walk and a children’s race, making it a good option for anyone who wants to turn race day into a plan with friends or family.
👉 View São Silvestre El Corte Inglés on RaceFinder
7. For one final race before the year ends: São Silvestre dos Olivais
📍 Lisbon
📅 30 December 2026
🏃 10 km | 4 km walk | Mini São Silvestre
If you are the kind of person who likes to finish the year the same way you started it — running — there is still time for one final start line.
The São Silvestre dos Olivais takes place on 30 December and reaches its 36th edition in 2026.
The main race covers 10 km and starts at 21:00, creating that classic end-of-year night-race atmosphere.
The programme also includes a 4 km walk and a Mini São Silvestre for younger participants.
It is almost the last chance to add one more medal to your 2026 collection.
👉 Register for São Silvestre dos Olivais through RaceFinder
There Is Still Plenty of Racing Left in 2026
You do not need to wait until January to choose a new goal.
You can use the final months of the year to run a historic half marathon, try trail running for the first time, experience a night race or simply enjoy the atmosphere of a São Silvestre.
And these are only some of the races still on the calendar.
On RaceFinder, you can search events by sport, distance, location and date and find races with registration available directly through the platform.
👉 Explore all upcoming races on RaceFinder
Which start line will be next?
