How Much Time Do You Have? 6 Marathons in Portugal Still Open for Registration
The EDP Lisbon Marathon is already sold out.
But that does not mean you have to wait until next autumn to run 42.195 km in Portugal.
Between November 2026 and April 2027, there are still several options with registration open — and the biggest difference between them is not just the course.
It is how much time you still have to train.
From 1 October, there are around five weeks until the Porto Marathon, nine until the Algarve, 17 until Funchal and almost 30 until Aveiro.
That completely changes the decision.
If you are already in a marathon block, November may still make sense. If running a marathon is still only an idea, April gives you enough time to build a much more complete preparation.
Here are six marathons in Portugal with registration open at the time of publication, ordered by how much preparation time remains.
Registration status checked on 30 September 2026. Places may sell out before the organisers’ stated deadlines.
8 November — EDP Porto Marathon: around 5 weeks
Porto · 42.195 km
Five weeks is not enough time to build marathon fitness from scratch.
But it can be enough time to finish a preparation block.
The EDP Porto Marathon takes place on 8 November, and the official registration page is still active, with entries for the 42.195 km scheduled to remain open until 30 October unless the race reaches capacity earlier.
The event also includes a 10K and a non-competitive 6 km race.
The marathon is run over one officially measured single-lap course, with a six-hour time limit.
At five weeks out, the question is not whether you still have time to “train for a marathon”.
It is whether the necessary base is already there.
If the last few months have included consistent mileage, long runs and marathon-specific work, there is still time for the final key sessions before tapering.
If you are still building basic weekly volume, there are better options further down this calendar.
👉 View the EDP Porto Marathon on RaceFinder
14 November — GRIFO24h: around 6 weeks
Pontinha, Lisbon · 42 km Night Marathon
42 kilometres.
At night.
In laps of just over two kilometres.
GRIFO24h is not a conventional marathon. It is a 24-hour endurance event that also includes a 42 km Night Marathon, starting at 19:00.
The course is a closed 2.235 km circuit, certified by the Portuguese Athletics Federation, mainly on asphalt with some sections of compact dirt.
The marathon cut-off is at 03:00.
Registration is currently open, and entries close on 8 November or when the overall event reaches its 400-participant limit.
The repetitive format changes the experience completely.
You pass the same point several times, have frequent access to the support area and always know exactly what comes next.
On the other hand, running 42 km at night and on a short circuit introduces a different challenge in terms of pacing and concentration.
It is an option for runners who already have the fitness for the distance and want to experience a marathon in a very different format.
👉 Register for the GRIFO24h Night Marathon on RaceFinder
6 December — Algarve Marathon: around 9 weeks
Vilamoura · 42.195 km
Nine weeks gives you a little more room to work with.
The first Algarve Marathon takes place on 6 December, starting and finishing at Vilamoura Marina.
Registration is officially open. The programme also includes a half marathon, 10K and 5K walk.
And there is an important detail for runners choosing a marathon with performance in mind: this is not presented as a completely flat course.
The organiser describes it as rolling, with approximately 253 metres of elevation gain over the marathon distance. The course is not currently certified.
That does not mean it cannot be fast.
It simply means that the elevation profile should be part of your target-setting.
With around nine weeks remaining, there is still time for a short marathon-specific block for someone who already runs consistently and has a solid volume base.
If you are starting almost from zero, it still makes sense to look further ahead.
👉 View the Algarve Marathon on RaceFinder
31 January — Funchal Marathon: around 17 weeks
Funchal, Madeira · 42.195 km
This is where the calendar really begins to work in your favour.
The Funchal Marathon takes place on 31 January 2027, and registration is open on the official event website.
Alongside the 42.195 km marathon, the programme also includes a half marathon and a shorter distance of approximately 8 km.
The marathon is run on roads through the Funchal and Estrada Monumental area, with several passages through the same section of the course and a six-hour time limit.
But the most relevant number here is 17 weeks.
That gives you enough time to structure a proper marathon build: increase mileage progressively, establish consistent long runs, include marathon-specific work and still taper without trying to squeeze everything into the final few weeks.
For a runner who trains regularly but has not yet started a marathon block, January is a much more realistic target than November.
👉 View the Funchal Marathon on RaceFinder
11 April — Lisbon Eco Marathon: around 27 weeks
Lisbon · 42 km
If you want to run a marathon in Lisbon but missed out on October, there is another option in spring.
The Lisbon Eco Marathon returns on 11 April 2027.
Registration is currently open for the 42 km marathon, half marathon, a distance of approximately 13 km and a walk.
But do not expect a spring version of the Lisbon Marathon.
The course runs through Monsanto Forest Park, starting and finishing at Parque Eduardo VII.
This means it is not the obvious choice for someone whose only priority is finding the fastest possible road course.
It is a marathon for runners who want to cover the distance in Lisbon in a very different setting from the city’s major urban races.
And with around 27 weeks available, there is plenty of time to prepare the distance gradually.
👉 View Lisbon Eco Marathon information and registration
25 April — Europe Marathon – Aveiro: around 29 weeks
Aveiro · 42.195 km
If you are looking further ahead — and possibly looking for a fast time — Aveiro deserves attention.
The Europe Marathon takes place on 25 April 2027, with the 10K held the day before.
Registration is already open.
The event offers the marathon, half marathon, 10K, walk and even combined formats such as 10K + Marathon and 10K + Half Marathon.
The organisers present the course as flat and fast, with international certification, and the event is part of the World Athletics Road Race Label calendar.
The marathon starts at 08:00 and has a six-hour time limit. Electronic chip timing is used, with aid stations planned approximately every 5 km.
But there is an even bigger difference compared with the November races:
you have around 29 weeks.
You do not need to begin a marathon-specific block tomorrow.
You can first build your aerobic base, race shorter distances through the winter and then move into a focused marathon block closer to spring.
For runners who are not ready for a marathon this autumn, that may be more important than simply choosing the next available race.
👉 Register for the Europe Marathon – Aveiro through RaceFinder
So, How Much Time Do You Actually Have?
Put the six races side by side:
8 November · Porto — ~5 weeks
For runners already in training who only need to finish the block.
14 November · GRIFO24h — ~6 weeks
For runners with an existing base who want a completely different marathon experience.
6 December · Algarve — ~9 weeks
More room to prepare, but still dependent on having a consistent base now.
31 January · Funchal — ~17 weeks
Enough time to organise a complete marathon training block.
11 April · Lisbon Eco Marathon — ~27 weeks
Plenty of time to build the distance progressively and prepare for a very different type of course.
25 April · Aveiro — ~29 weeks
The furthest option on this list and one of the most interesting for runners looking for a fast road marathon.
There is no universal answer to the question: “Do I still have enough time to train for a marathon?”
It depends on what you have already done.
Your current weekly mileage.
The length of your recent long runs.
And, most importantly, how much you are trying to speed up a process that usually works better when it is not rushed.
Choosing the right date is part of marathon preparation too.
If November has come too soon, you do not have to force it.
January exists.
April does too.
