Lousa Mountain Trail

The Funchal Marathon 2026, taking place on January 18th in the beautiful city of Funchal, Madeira Island, offers an exciting and inclusive running experience for athletes of all levels. Organized by the Madeira Athletics Association, the event includes three distances: the full Marathon (42.195 km), Half Marathon (21.097 km), and a shorter, more accessible Mini Marathon (~8.3 km). Open to both amateur and competitive runners—whether you’re a first-timer or an experienced marathoner—this race showcases the island’s mild winter climate and scenic urban coastline.

The course weaves through the vibrant streets of Funchal, providing a mix of sea views, historic architecture, and enthusiastic local support. With a festive and welcoming atmosphere, pace guides for key finish times, and excellent support services, the event is well-suited for personal records, group challenges, or simply enjoying a memorable running experience in one of Portugal’s most charming destinations.

The IX Edição Trail Póvoa de Varzim is a trail running event scheduled for January 18, 2026, in Póvoa de Varzim, Portugal. It offers three distances: a short trail of approximately 16 km, a long trail of about 25 km, and a 6 km walk, providing options for various levels of participants.

Open to all athletes aged 18 and over for the trail races, and allowing younger participants in the walk if accompanied by family, this event is accessible to a broad range of runners and walkers. The trails predominantly traverse natural, rural, and urban environments in northern Póvoa de Varzim, featuring moderate elevation gains of 500 m for the short trail and 1000 m for the long trail.

The race atmosphere is supportive and organized, featuring official timing with chips, medical assistance, and a community feel. The event includes individual and team competitions, with trophies for top overall and category finishers, as well as a special prize for the largest team, fostering both competitive and collective participation.

The Terra de Gigantes Ultramarathon 2026 will be held from January 15–18, 2026, starting at 11:00 AM from Torre, Serra da Estrela — Portugal’s highest point — and finishing in Nazaré, home of the world’s biggest waves. Organized by Horizontes Turismo Desportivo and Associação Interior Convida, the race challenges athletes with an epic 303.8 km journey across Portugal, combining extreme distance, harsh winter conditions, and significant elevation gain.

The route traverses mountain ranges, historic villages, faith paths near Fátima, and remote schist and xisto trails, before culminating on the Atlantic coast. With 74 hours to complete the challenge and semi-self-sufficiency rules, this is a true test of endurance, courage, and resilience.

Trilhos dos Reis 2026 is a trail running event taking place on January 10 and 11, 2026, in Portalegre, Portugal. The event features multiple distances including the Ultra Trilhos dos Reis (48 km), Trilhos dos Reis (31 km), Mini Trilhos dos Reis (18 km), a 12 km walk, and a night run for kids (Kids Night Run) in the city center.

The races are open to all qualified athletes with age restrictions depending on the distance, starting from 18 or 20 years for the longer distances and no restrictions for the walk. The event provides a challenging and fun trail experience across mountainous and agricultural terrain with varying surfaces and elevation profiles, including significant altitude gain.

The atmosphere is inclusive with competitive individual and team classifications, awards for general and age categories, and additional activities like a kids’ night run, making it family-friendly and festive. The event is organized by DAP – Associação de Desporto e Aventura de Portalegre and is well supported with safety measures and technical assistance.