Team running events in Portugal: why they are growing so fast

Over the past few years, team running events have become increasingly popular across Portugal. From relay races to 24-hour challenges and hybrid fitness competitions, more athletes are choosing to take part as part of a team rather than racing alone.

But what is driving this trend?

And why are team-based events attracting both experienced athletes and beginners?

Here is why team running events are becoming one of the most exciting formats in the Portuguese endurance scene.

Team events are changing the way people experience races

For many years, most running events were designed for individual participation. Today, that is changing.

Team formats allow participants to:

• share the effort
• train together toward a common goal
• make demanding challenges more accessible
• enjoy the experience with friends or colleagues

Taking part in a race is no longer just about performance. It is increasingly about shared experiences.

This shift is one of the main reasons team running events continue to grow across Portugal.

A great way to step into longer endurance challenges

Many athletes enter endurance racing through team events.

Instead of committing to a full challenge alone, participants can divide the effort between teammates while still experiencing the atmosphere of a major endurance competition.

Examples in Portugal include events such as:

• 24 Hours Running from Mem Martins – Sintra, which includes a 4-person relay format
• West Games 2026, where teams of 4 to 6 athletes compete together

These formats make longer and more demanding events accessible to a wider range of participants.

The rise of 24-hour races helped accelerate this trend

24-hour running events are one of the strongest examples of team participation growth.

While solo participation still exists, a large percentage of entries come from:

• pairs
• 4-person relay teams
• larger group teams

This structure transforms the race into a shared endurance experience.

While one teammate runs, another recovers. While some rest, others support the team. The event becomes continuous teamwork rather than an individual effort.

Relay-based 24-hour races are helping more athletes discover endurance events in a supportive environment.

Hybrid fitness competitions are also driving participation

Another major reason for the growth of team events in Portugal is the expansion of hybrid fitness competitions combining running with strength-based challenges.

Events such as:

• Hyberic Run, offering both pairs and 4-person relay formats
• Vortex Hybrid Challenge, designed for teams of two
• West Games, featuring team-based formats of 4 to 6 participants

show how team-based competition is expanding beyond traditional running races.

These events attract athletes from different backgrounds including runners, functional fitness athletes, and obstacle course racers.

Companies and friend groups are joining the movement

Corporate participation has also contributed to the growth of team running events.

Many companies now use these competitions as:

• team building experiences
• wellness initiatives
• shared challenges outside the workplace

At the same time, groups of friends are increasingly choosing relay events as a yearly goal they can prepare for together.

Training as a team often increases motivation and consistency throughout the season.

Team races create more memorable race experiences

Athletes who take part in team events often describe them as some of their most memorable race experiences.

There is:

• constant support between teammates
• shared strategy during the event
• collective decision-making
• a stronger celebration at the finish line

Even when performance is not the main objective, the sense of achievement is real and shared.

That is one of the reasons many teams return year after year.

A trend that will continue to grow in Portugal

Team running events are not just a temporary trend.

They reflect what many athletes are looking for today: more social, more flexible, and more accessible endurance experiences.

With the growth of events such as Vortex, Hyberic Run, West Games, and relay-based 24-hour races like 24 Hours Running from Mem Martins – Sintra, team participation is expected to continue expanding across Portugal.

If you have never tried a team running event before, this might be the perfect challenge to share with friends, teammates, or colleagues.

👉 Discover team running events in Portugal on RaceFinder and find your next challenge together.