{"id":68785,"date":"2026-08-14T12:51:07","date_gmt":"2026-08-14T11:51:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/racefinder.pt\/?p=68785"},"modified":"2026-08-14T12:52:28","modified_gmt":"2026-08-14T11:52:28","slug":"8-half-marathons-to-run-in-portugal-before-the-end-of-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/racefinder.pt\/en\/8-half-marathons-to-run-in-portugal-before-the-end-of-2026\/","title":{"rendered":"8 Half Marathons to Run in Portugal Before the End of 2026"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

There is something special about the 21.1K distance<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It requires enough preparation to feel like a real project, but it still allows for a very different approach from a full marathon. For some runners, it is the first major step beyond 10K. For others, it is the perfect distance to chase a new personal best.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And 2026 still has several great opportunities ahead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

From the Algarve to Ger\u00eas, we selected 8 half marathons to run in Portugal between September and November<\/strong>, each offering a different kind of challenge and race experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Meia Maratona Flor de Sal<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

\ud83d\udcc5 12 September 2026<\/strong>
\ud83d\udccd Altura, Castro Marim<\/strong>
\ud83c\udfc3 21.097K<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A half marathon in the Algarve, but without an early morning start.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Meia Maratona Flor de Sal<\/strong> takes place in the evening, starting at 8:00 pm<\/strong> near the Altura Athletics Track. The main distance is completed over four laps, with a 10.5K option also available.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is an interesting choice for runners looking to start the second half of the season with a different type of race while enjoying the Algarve outside the peak summer period.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

See Meia Maratona Flor de Sal on RaceFinder<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Meia Maratona da Benedita<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

\ud83d\udcc5 13 September 2026<\/strong>
\ud83d\udccd Benedita, Alcoba\u00e7a<\/strong>
\ud83c\udfc3 21K<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

One day later, the calendar takes us to Benedita.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Organised by Bombeiros Volunt\u00e1rios da Benedita<\/strong>, the event combines a 21K half marathon, a 10K race, a 5K walk and a Kids Run.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is a good option for anyone who enjoys smaller, more local events, and especially useful for groups where not everyone wants to race the same distance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

See Meia Maratona da Benedita on RaceFinder<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Meia Maratona Loures-Odivelas-Loures<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

\ud83d\udcc5 20 September 2026<\/strong>
\ud83d\udccd Loures and Odivelas<\/strong>
\ud83c\udfc3 21K<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A week later, Loures and Odivelas are connected once again through running.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The half marathon features a course with international measurement certification from World Athletics<\/strong>, and the event programme also includes a 10K, a shorter walk and children’s races. The 21K starts at 9:00 am<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For runners looking for a half marathon around Lisbon without waiting until late autumn, this is one to consider.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

See Meia Maratona Loures-Odivelas-Loures on RaceFinder<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

4. Meia Maratona do Ameal<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

\ud83d\udcc5 27 September 2026<\/strong>
\ud83d\udccd Coimbra<\/strong>
\ud83c\udfc3 21.0975K<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is where the stopwatch starts to matter a little more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Meia Maratona do Ameal<\/strong> course is measured by the Portuguese Athletics Federation and certified by World Athletics, with just 66 metres of positive elevation gain<\/strong> across the 21.0975K route.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The course runs through Taveiro, Ameal and Arzila, and the event also includes a 10.3K race and a 10K walk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you reach the end of summer with a solid training block behind you and want to see what it has produced, this is a race worth considering.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

See Meia Maratona do Ameal on RaceFinder<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

5. Meia-Maratona de Ovar<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

\ud83d\udcc5 4 October 2026<\/strong>
\ud83d\udccd Ovar, Aveiro<\/strong>
\ud83c\udfc3 21.0975K<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

New races appear every year. Then there are the ones that have become part of the calendar.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2026, the Meia-Maratona Cidade de Ovar<\/strong> reaches its 36th edition<\/strong> and is part of the Portuguese national road racing calendar and the World Athletics Global Calendar.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The competitive courses are certified, and the event also includes a 10K race, a walk and a children’s event.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A strong option for runners who enjoy the atmosphere of an established race and want to set a major goal for the beginning of October.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

See Meia-Maratona de Ovar on RaceFinder<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

6. Meia Maratona de Leiria<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

\ud83d\udcc5 18 October 2026<\/strong>
\ud83d\udccd Leiria<\/strong>
\ud83c\udfc3 21K<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

If October is the month you want to take on 21K, Leiria gives you another opportunity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Meia Maratona de Leiria<\/strong> combines the half marathon with a 10K race, a 5K walk and a Kids event. The half marathon starts at 9:40 am<\/strong> and has a three-hour time limit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is also a good option for groups travelling together, as everyone can choose a different distance while still sharing the same race day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

See Meia Maratona de Leiria on RaceFinder<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

7. Ger\u00eas Extreme Marathon \u2013 Half Marathon<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

\ud83d\udcc5 29 November 2026<\/strong>
\ud83d\udccd Vila do Ger\u00eas, Braga<\/strong>
\ud83c\udfc3 21K<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Not every half marathon exists to make chasing a PB easier.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The half marathon included in the Ger\u00eas Extreme Marathon<\/strong> takes place in a mountain setting within Peneda-Ger\u00eas National Park and starts at 9:15 am<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The event follows a semi-self-sufficient format and, due to its environmental policy, runners are expected to carry their own hydration container.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is probably the choice on this list for anyone who sees 21K less as a race against the clock and more as an experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

See Ger\u00eas Extreme Marathon on RaceFinder<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

8. Meia Maratona dos Descobrimentos<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

\ud83d\udcc5 29 November 2026<\/strong>
\ud83d\udccd Bel\u00e9m, Lisbon<\/strong>
\ud83c\udfc3 21K<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

On the same Sunday, but in a completely different setting, Lisbon hosts the Meia Maratona dos Descobrimentos<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The 21K starts at 10:00 am<\/strong>, with the race beginning at Pra\u00e7a do Imp\u00e9rio and finishing near Museu da Marinha. The programme also includes a 10K race, a 4K walk and children’s races.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For anyone who would rather finish November beside the Tagus than take on the roads of Ger\u00eas, this could be the one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

See Meia Maratona dos Descobrimentos on RaceFinder<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Which Half Marathon Is Next?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

There are plenty of ways to choose your next 21.1K.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It might be the course. The city. The chance to run faster. The excuse to travel. Or simply the fact that you need a date on the calendar to make training feel serious again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What matters is finding a race that fits the goal you have right now.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On RaceFinder<\/strong>, you can explore half marathons and other races across Portugal, compare dates, distances and locations, and find your next start line.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

21.1 kilometres feel a lot less intimidating once there is a date on the calendar.<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

There is something special about the 21.1K distance. It requires enough preparation to feel like a real project, but it still allows for a very different approach from a full marathon. For some runners, it is the first major step beyond 10K. For others, it is the perfect distance to chase a new personal best. […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":8,"featured_media":68573,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-68785","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-running"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/racefinder.pt\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/68785","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/racefinder.pt\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/racefinder.pt\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/racefinder.pt\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/8"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/racefinder.pt\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=68785"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/racefinder.pt\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/68785\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":68786,"href":"https:\/\/racefinder.pt\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/68785\/revisions\/68786"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/racefinder.pt\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/68573"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/racefinder.pt\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=68785"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/racefinder.pt\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=68785"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/racefinder.pt\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=68785"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}