MessengerGerês Extreme Marathon
Event summary
The Gerês Extreme Marathon® is a road mountain marathon event taking place from November 27 to 29, 2026, in Vila do Gerês, Portugal. It features multiple race distances including Extreme Mile, Extreme 90k, Race 12km, Marathon 42km, Half Marathon 21km, and Mini Race 14km.
The event is open to athletes aged 20 and above for most distances, with some shorter races allowing participants from 18 years old. It is held within the Peneda-Gerês National Park, emphasizing respect for the natural environment and requiring participants to carry their own hydration containers.
This challenging race combines speed, long duration, significant elevation changes, and exposure to mountain weather conditions. The event includes strict rules on conduct and environmental responsibility, with limited participant numbers to ensure safety and sustainability.
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Age categories/divisions:
• Extreme Mile: 18+ years
• Race 12km: 18+ years
• Mini Race 14km: 18+ years
• Half Marathon 21km: 18+ years
• Marathon 42km: 20+ years
• Extreme 90k: 20+ years
Start/finish locations: Vila do Gerês, Portugal; Race 12km starts at Fronteira Portela do Homem
Start times per category/distance:
• Extreme Mile: Nov 27, 15:30
• Extreme 90k: Nov 28, 06:00 (1st start), 07:00 (2nd start), 08:00 (3rd start)
• Race 12km: Nov 28, 11:00
• Marathon 42km and Mini Race 14km: Nov 29, 09:00
• Half Marathon 21km: Nov 29, 09:15
Cut-off times:
• Extreme 90k: 14 to 16 hours depending on start wave
• Marathon 42km: 7 hours with time barrier at 29 km (5h15m)
Bib pick-up time and location:
• Nov 27, 13:30–15:00
• Nov 28, 09:30–20:00
• Nov 29, 07:00–09:00
• Location: Praceta Honório de Lima – Vila do Gerês
Participants limit:
• Extreme Mile: 70
• Race 12km: 100
• Mini Race 14km: 600
• Half Marathon 21km: 1,000
• Marathon 42km: 700
• Extreme 90k: 300
Surface types: Asphalt, paved roads, and dirt roads in mountain environment
Course format: Road race within Peneda-Gerês National Park with semi-autonomy; hydration stations provided but athletes must carry own containers
Race routes:
• Extreme Mile: single aid station at finish
• 12 km: aid station at km 5.5
• 14 km: aid station at km 7
• 21 km: aid stations at km 10 and km 15
• 42 km: aid stations at km 7, 17, 24, 29, 34
Timing method: Electronic chip timing on bib
Toilets and aid station placement: Aid stations placed as above; no plastic cups or bottles provided; athletes must carry own hydration containers
Parking and shuttle details: Transfers provided to start locations for Extreme Mile and Race 12km
Prizes: Trophies awarded by overall and age categories; team classification based on top 3 athletes’ times; medals for finishers; prize ceremonies on Nov 28 and 29
Location
get directionsRaces
Extreme Mile
Road Running 12 km
Marathon 42 km
Half Marathon 21 km
Road Running 14 km
Benefits
🎽 Athlete kit: bib, event t-shirt (one per participant even if registered for multiple distances), medal of finisher
🏅 Finisher prize: medal and commemorative t-shirt
⏱️ Timing with electronic chip on bib
🛟 Safety support: security and medical assistance throughout the course
🛡️ Insurance: personal accident insurance included in registration fee
🥤 Aid stations with food and hydration at designated kilometers; athletes must carry own hydration containers
🚿 Showers available at finish for men and women in designated facilities
🧳 Transport to finish line available in case of withdrawal
🏆 Trophies awarded for overall and age group winners, including team classifications
