The London Marathon Just Happened — But You Don’t Need to Go Far to Run 42km
Last Sunday, the athletics world stopped. At the London Marathon, Kenyan Sabastian Sawe became the first man to officially break the two-hour barrier in a marathon race, crossing the finish line in 1:59:30 — a new world record that will go down in sporting history. Yomif Kejelcha also went sub-2 with 1:59:41, and in the women’s race, Tigst Assefa set a new women-only world record of 2:15:41.
The London Marathon is an event like no other. Nearly 50,000 runners through the streets of the city, crowds cheering at every kilometre, and an energy that’s hard to describe unless you’ve been there.
But here’s the good news: you don’t need a plane ticket to experience the feeling of crossing a marathon finish line. In Portugal, there are marathons worth travelling for — and some of them are truly one of a kind.
The marathons in Portugal you need to know about in 2026
⏱️ Zumub 24h Run Mem Martins — Sintra | 9–10 May
Sometimes a marathon isn’t about the distance — it’s about the format. The Zumub 24h Run in Mem Martins is a 24-hour endurance race where the goal is to cover as much distance as possible before the clock runs out. You can run your marathon… and then keep going. Located near Lisbon and Sintra, this event has a tight-knit community and a very special atmosphere.
⏱️ 24H de P — Santa Maria da Feira, Aveiro | 5–6 September
Another 24-hour format, this time in Santa Maria da Feira. For those who want to test their limits in a continuous endurance race, with support throughout and a unique night-time atmosphere.
🏙️ EDP Lisbon Marathon — Lisbon | 10 October
Portugal’s biggest marathon and one of the most iconic in Europe. The course crosses the 25 de Abril Bridge, runs along the Tagus river, and finishes in Parque das Nações. A race with decades of history, world-class organisation, and an atmosphere that rivals the great European capitals. If you want to run one marathon in Portugal, this is the benchmark.
🌊 Porto Marathon — Porto | 8 November
The marathon of the North. An urban course through Porto’s historic neighbourhoods, with the Douro river as a backdrop and the city’s unmistakable energy. It has grown significantly in recent years and is establishing itself as one of the best marathons in the country.
⏱️ GRIFO24h — Lisbon | 14–15 November
Another 24-hour race, this time in Lisbon. For those who want to push the limits of endurance at the end of the season, close to home.
🏔️ Gerês Extreme Marathon — Vila do Gerês | 27–29 November
For those who think 42km on road isn’t enough of a challenge. The Gerês Extreme Marathon is a mountain marathon in the heart of the Peneda-Gerês National Park — Portugal’s only national park. Demanding terrain, breathtaking scenery, and an adventure that goes far beyond the distance.
The two-hour barrier has fallen — what now?
What Sabastian Sawe did in London on Sunday will inspire a generation of runners. Not because everyone is going to run sub-2 hours — but because it showed that the barriers that seem impossible are, in the end, just… very hard.
Every runner has their own barrier. For some, it’s breaking four hours. For others, it’s simply getting to the finish line of a marathon for the very first time.
In Portugal, there are races for all of those moments. And some of them — like the EDP Lisbon Marathon running along the Tagus, or the Gerês Extreme Marathon through Portugal’s only national park — are experiences that stay with you for life.
