MessengerMarão Peaks Challenge 2026
Event summary
The Desafio Cumes do Marão 2026 is a trail running event taking place on September 26, 2026, in Amarante, Portugal. It offers four circular race distances starting and finishing at Lugar do Eido in the village of Ansiães: 50 km, 30 km, 20 km, and 13 km.
Open to participants aged 18 and over, the event features challenging mountainous terrain with significant elevation gains, including routes passing through several emblematic summits of the Marão mountain range. The race is organized by Associação Desportiva Marão Trail and SavageNatur Events® and continues the legacy of the Ultra Trail do Marão.
Participants will experience the natural beauty of the Marão region, including century-old forests and breathtaking valleys, in a demanding semi-autonomous race environment. The event fosters a spirit of solidarity and respect for nature, with sustainability and environmental responsibility emphasized throughout.
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Plan itInformation
Age categories/divisions:
• General
• Sub-23 (18-22 years)
• Seniors (23-39 years)
• Veterans I (40-49 years)
• Veterans II (50-59 years)
• Veterans III (60+ years)
• Teams (male and female separate classifications)
Start/finish locations: All races start and finish at Lugar do Eido, Ansiães (Aldeia Cumes)
Start times per category/distance:
• 50K: 08:00 (start zone opens 07:40, closes 08:10)
• 30K: 09:00 (start zone opens 08:40, closes 09:10)
• 20K: 10:00 (start zone opens 09:40, closes 10:10)
• 13K: 10:30 (start zone opens 10:10, closes 10:40)
Cut-off times:
• 50K: 12 hours (08:00–20:00)
• 30K: 8 hours (09:00–17:00)
• 20K: 6 hours (10:00–16:00)
• 13K: 5 hours (10:30–15:30)
Participants limit:
• 50K: 250
• 30K: 250
• 20K: 250
• 13K: 250
Registration deadline: September 17, 2026
Surface types: Mountain trails and paths, mostly on marked pedestrian routes
Course format: Circular courses for all distances
Race routes:
• 50K: 48.8 km, 3,560 m elevation gain, passing 8 summits
• 30K: 30.2 km, 2,310 m elevation gain, passing 6 summits
• 20K: 19.5 km, 1,260 m elevation gain, passing 3 summits
• 13K: 12.9 km, 665 m elevation gain, no summits
Timing method: Electronic chip timing with mandatory validation at control points
Toilets and aid station placement: Aid stations with food and drinks; hand sanitizing may be required at aid stations
Prizes: Awards for top 3 in each category with minimum 5 participants; team classification based on best 3 male and female athletes
Location
get directionsRaces
Trail Run 48,8 km
Trail Run 30,2 km
Trail Run 19,5 km
Trail Run 13,2 km
Benefits
🎽 Athlete kit: bib, official training shirt, personal accident insurance, access to aid stations, security and rescue service, transport from cut-off points, showers, food reinforcement at finish village, downloadable finisher diploma
🏅 Finisher prize: finisher award included in athlete kit
⏱️ Timing + live results with chip timing and control points
🛟 Safety support: security and rescue services throughout the course
🛡️ Insurance: personal accident insurance included in registration fee
🥤 Aid stations: varied food and drinks including fruits, snacks, water, isotonic drinks, soups at aid stations
🚿 Showers available at finish village
🏆 Prizes for top finishers in categories and teams
