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 \u2014 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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 \u2014 and some of them are truly one of a kind.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Sometimes a marathon isn’t about the distance \u2014 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\u2026 and then keep going. Located near Lisbon and Sintra, this event has a tight-knit community and a very special atmosphere.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\ud83d\udc49 See on RaceFinder<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \ud83d\udc49 See on RaceFinder<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n 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 Na\u00e7\u00f5es. 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \ud83d\udc49 See on RaceFinder<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \ud83d\udc49 See on RaceFinder<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \ud83d\udc49 See on RaceFinder<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n For those who think 42km on road isn’t enough of a challenge. The Ger\u00eas Extreme Marathon is a mountain marathon in the heart of the Peneda-Ger\u00eas National Park \u2014 Portugal’s only national park. Demanding terrain, breathtaking scenery, and an adventure that goes far beyond the distance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\u23f1\ufe0f 24H de P \u2014 Santa Maria da Feira, Aveiro | 5\u20136 September<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\ud83c\udfd9\ufe0f EDP Lisbon Marathon \u2014 Lisbon | 10 October<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\ud83c\udf0a Porto Marathon \u2014 Porto | 8 November<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\u23f1\ufe0f GRIFO24h \u2014 Lisbon | 14\u201315 November<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\ud83c\udfd4\ufe0f Ger\u00eas Extreme Marathon \u2014 Vila do Ger\u00eas | 27\u201329 November<\/h3>\n\n\n\n