{"id":68980,"date":"2026-08-17T16:08:00","date_gmt":"2026-08-17T15:08:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/racefinder.pt\/?p=68980"},"modified":"2026-08-17T16:10:08","modified_gmt":"2026-08-17T15:10:08","slug":"10-races-to-run-in-portugal-in-october-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/racefinder.pt\/en\/10-races-to-run-in-portugal-in-october-2026\/","title":{"rendered":"10 Races to Run in Portugal in October 2026"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

If September marks the return to routine, October is when the race calendar really starts to become dangerous for anyone who loves signing up for \u201cjust one more\u201d.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are half marathons, 10Ks, short trails, ultras, night races and even the chance to run across the Vasco da Gama Bridge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We selected 10 races across different regions of Portugal<\/strong> for anyone still looking for a goal for October 2026.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. XII EstrelA\u00e7or Ultra Endurance<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

\ud83d\udcc5 2 and 3 October<\/strong>
\ud83d\udccd Covilh\u00e3, Castelo Branco<\/strong>
\ud83c\udfc3 16K | 32K | 48K | 100K<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

We are not easing into the month.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The EstrelA\u00e7or Ultra Endurance crosses the Serra da Estrela and Serra do A\u00e7or<\/strong> regions, starting from Penhas da Sa\u00fade. There are four competitive distances, from 16K to 100K, as well as a 16K walk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is a race for anyone looking for mountains, endurance and the kind of challenge that makes October stop looking like a quiet month very quickly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Ribas Challenge \u2013 Javali Night Trail<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

\ud83d\udcc5 3 October<\/strong>
\ud83d\udccd Ribas de Cima, Fanh\u00f5es, Loures<\/strong>
\ud83c\udfc3 15K<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trail running, but after the sun goes down.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The first edition of the Ribas Challenge \u2013 Javali Night Trail<\/strong> features a single 15K distance through the trails and rural paths of Serra de Ribas, in the Loures area.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a night race held in semi-self-sufficient conditions, it adds a different kind of difficulty to the kilometres and requires mandatory safety equipment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A good choice for anyone who has already done plenty of daytime trails and wants to try something different.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Meia-Maratona Cidade de Ovar<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

\ud83d\udcc5 4 October<\/strong>
\ud83d\udccd Ovar, Aveiro<\/strong>
\ud83c\udfc3 21.1K | 10K | Walk | Mini Marathon<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

One of the most established races on this list.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Meia-Maratona Cidade de Ovar<\/strong> reaches its 36th edition in 2026 and is part of Portugal\u2019s official national road racing calendar and the World Athletics Global Calendar.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Alongside the classic 21.0975K distance, there is a competitive 10K, a walk and a free mini marathon for children. The competitive courses are certified and include electronic timing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you are looking for a major goal right at the beginning of October, Ovar is one of the most complete options.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

4. 10.\u00ba Grande Pr\u00e9mio do Vale Grande<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

\ud83d\udcc5 5 October<\/strong>
\ud83d\udccd Odivelas, Lisbon<\/strong>
\ud83c\udfc3 10K | 5K | Walk | Kids Races<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Not every race calendar needs to revolve around long distances.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Grande Pr\u00e9mio do Vale Grande<\/strong>, in Odivelas, has the 10K as its main distance, alongside a 5K race, a walk and races for younger runners.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The event has a limit of 1,000 participants and also includes a post-race gathering, keeping a strong community feel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An especially interesting option for anyone who wants a 5K or 10K on the calendar without turning the whole of October into a long-distance training block.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5. Douro Ultra Trail<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

\ud83d\udcc5 9 and 10 October<\/strong>
\ud83d\udccd Peso da R\u00e9gua, Vila Real<\/strong>
\ud83c\udfc3 15K | 28K | 50K | 100K<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Two days of racing and four very different ways to experience the Douro on foot.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Douro Ultra Trail<\/strong> ranges from the 15K Short Trail to the approximately 100K Ultra Trail Endurance. In between, there are 28K and 50K options, including team participation in the longer distances.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The courses combine natural trails, forest roads and some asphalt sections in a region where the scenery will probably compete quite successfully with your watch for attention.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

6. EDP 8K<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

\ud83d\udcc5 11 October<\/strong>
\ud83d\udccd Lisbon<\/strong>
\ud83c\udfc3 8K<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is not every Sunday that you get to start a race on the Vasco da Gama Bridge<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That is exactly where the EDP 8K begins, before finishing on Alameda dos Oceanos, near the Pavilh\u00e3o de Portugal. The race is part of the Lisbon Marathon weekend programme and has capacity for up to 7,000 participants.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At just 8K, it is also a great option for anyone who wants to experience the atmosphere of a major running event without committing to a half marathon or marathon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

7. Trail do Aqueduto<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

\ud83d\udcc5 11 October<\/strong>
\ud83d\udccd Paredes, Porto<\/strong>
\ud83c\udfc3 13K | 23K | 33K | 9K Walk<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The same Sunday, but a completely different setting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Trail do Aqueduto<\/strong> starts and finishes at Campo de Golfe do Aqueduto, in Paredes, with three competitive distances of 13K, 23K and 33K, plus a 9K walk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The race is certified by ATRP, is part of national circuits and the Porto Trail Series, and contributes towards the UTMB Index.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In other words, the goal here is no longer crossing a bridge. It is starting to climb.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

8. Meia Maratona de Leiria<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

\ud83d\udcc5 18 October<\/strong>
\ud83d\udccd Leiria<\/strong>
\ud83c\udfc3 21K | 10K | 5K Walk | Kids<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

21K or 10K? In Leiria, you do not have to decide on the distance before choosing the event.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Meia Maratona de Leiria<\/strong> brings both competitive distances together in the same programme, alongside a 5K walk and a Kids Parents & Children race.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is a great option for groups where everyone has a different goal but still wants to share the same race weekend.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

9. Grande Corrida A Previd\u00eancia Portuguesa<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

\ud83d\udcc5 18 October<\/strong>
\ud83d\udccd Coimbra<\/strong>
\ud83c\udfc3 10K<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

If October is about running faster rather than farther, Coimbra offers another option.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Grande Corrida A Previd\u00eancia Portuguesa<\/strong> takes place at Escola Superior Agr\u00e1ria de Coimbra and features a main 10K course certified by World Athletics and the Portuguese Athletics Federation<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The event also includes several distances for younger age groups, making the morning about much more than just the main 10K race.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

10. 13.\u00ba Trail de F\u00e1tima<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

\ud83d\udcc5 24 and 25 October<\/strong>
\ud83d\udccd F\u00e1tima and Our\u00e9m, Santar\u00e9m<\/strong>
\ud83c\udfc3 12K | 17K | 30K | 45K | Walk | Kids | Dog Walk<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

We finish with probably the most varied menu on the list.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Trail de F\u00e1tima<\/strong> offers four competitive distances, from 12K to 45K, alongside a walk, Trail Kids and even a dog walk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The main races follow natural trails, agricultural paths and forest areas around the municipality of Our\u00e9m. The Ultra, Long, Short and Mini distances are certified by the Portuguese Athletics Federation and the Santar\u00e9m Athletics Association.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is a great way to finish October, whether you are looking for 12K, an ultra or simply another excuse to spend your Sunday on the trails.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, What Are You Running in October?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

One of the best things about this month is the variety.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can run 8K across a bridge in Lisbon. Take on your first 10K. Chase a new time in a half marathon. Race at night. Head to the Douro. Or decide that running 100K through the mountains sounds like an excellent way to spend the weekend.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You do not need to choose the hardest race.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You just need to find the one that makes you want to add another date to the calendar.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

October already has the races. Now you just need to choose your bib.<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

If September marks the return to routine, October is when the race calendar really starts to become dangerous for anyone who loves signing up for \u201cjust one more\u201d. There are half marathons, 10Ks, short trails, ultras, night races and even the chance to run across the Vasco da Gama Bridge. We selected 10 races across […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":8,"featured_media":68931,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-68980","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\/68980","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=68980"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/racefinder.pt\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/68980\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":68982,"href":"https:\/\/racefinder.pt\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/68980\/revisions\/68982"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/racefinder.pt\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/68931"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/racefinder.pt\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=68980"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/racefinder.pt\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=68980"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/racefinder.pt\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=68980"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}