MessengerCastelo de Vide Sky Race 2026
Event summary
The Castelo de Vide Sky Race 2026 is a sky running event taking place on April 18 and 19, 2026, in Castelo de Vide, Portugal. The event features a Sky Sprint on April 18 with a 2 km distance and 200 m elevation gain, and on April 19, three Sky Race distances of approximately 22 km (1500 m D+), 17 km (1200 m D+), and 12 km (850 m D+), all circular routes.
The Sky Sprint is open to participants aged 15 and older with parental consent, while the 22 km Sky Race is for those 18 and older. The 17 km and 12 km races allow participants aged 15 and older with parental consent. The event is open to both federated and non-federated athletes and includes multiple age categories.
The race courses offer challenging mountain terrain with significant elevation gain, emphasizing physical and mental preparation for mountain autonomy. The atmosphere is competitive with individual time trial format for the Sky Sprint and open-road system for the Sky Races.
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Plan itInformation
Start/finish locations: To be designated, with secretariat located near the start area
Start times per category/distance:
• April 18, Sky Sprint (approx. 2 km, 200 m D+): 16:00
• April 19, Sky Race 22 km (1500 m D+): 09:00
• April 19, Sky Race 17 km (1200 m D+): 09:00
• April 19, Mini Sky Race 12 km (850 m D+): 09:00
Cut-off times:
• Sky Race 22 km: 5 hours
• Sky Race 17 km: 4 hours
• Mini Sky Race 12 km: 4 hours
Bib pick-up time and location: April 18, 14:00–18:00, at secretariat near the start
Age categories/divisions:
• Sky Running (April 19): Iniciados (15-16), Juvenis (17-18), Juniores (19-20), Sub-23 (21-23), Seniores (24-39), Veteranos VM40/VF44 (40-44), VM45/VF49 (45-49), VM50/VF54 (50-54), VM55/VF59 (55-59), VM60/VF69 (60-69)
• Sky Sprint (April 18): Iniciados (15-16), Juvenis (17-18), Juniores (19-20), Sub-23 (21-23), Seniores (24-39), Veteranos (40+)
Registration deadline: April 12, 2026
Surface types: Mountain trail with significant elevation gain
Course format: Circular routes; Sky Sprint in individual time trial format with 30-second intervals; Sky Race in open-road system
Race routes:
• Sky Sprint: approx. 2 km, 200 m D+
• Sky Race: approx. 22 km, 1500 m D+
• Sky Race: approx. 17 km, 1200 m D+
• Mini Sky Race: approx. 12 km, 850 m D+
Timing method: RFID chip with mandatory bib worn on front; control points along the course
Toilets and aid station placement: Aid stations with water, fruit, and nuts; athletes must carry their own containers; no disposable cups provided
Prizes: Trophies for top 3 overall male and female in Sky Running and Sky Sprint; trophies for team with most registered athletes; medals for top 3 in each male and female class; finisher souvenirs; awards only given to present athletes at ceremony
Location
get directionsRaces
Sky Race 2 km
Sky Race 22 km
Sky Race 17 km
Sky Race 12 km
Benefits
🛡️ Insurance: personal accident insurance included
🥤 Aid stations: water, fruit, and nuts at designated points; athletes must carry their own containers
🚿 Showers available (location to be defined)
🏆 Trophies and medals for top finishers and teams
🏅 Finisher souvenirs including light meal (soup and bread with chorizo) and participant photos available on event Facebook page
