Ultra Blue Island by Azores Trail Run

Zela Ultra Marathon (ZUM) returns for its 9th edition on May 1–2, 2026, in the scenic mountains of Vouzela, Portugal. Organized by SpotCriativo Eventos with local support, ZUM offers an immersive skyrunning experience across five distances, from vertical kilometers to mid-distance mountain challenges.

The event emphasizes autonomy, self-sufficiency, and fair play, providing runners a demanding yet rewarding environment with stunning alpine scenery. Races range from beginner-accessible to expert-level endurance courses, all in a circular or linear mountain format.

Event Type: Trail / Skyrunning
Distances:

KM Vertical Vasconha (linear): 4 km

Zela XS: 14 km (900 D+)

Zela S: 24 km (1500 D+)

Zela M: 35 km (2400 D+)

Zela L: 55 km (3600 D+)

Dates:

May 1, 2026 – KM Vertical

May 2, 2026 – All other distances

Who Can Participate:

Open to all, with age minimums per race (from 14+ to 23+)

Affiliation:

Overseen by the Federação de Campismo e Montanhismo de Portugal (FCMP)

Part of national skyrunning rankings

Atmosphere:

Competitive yet community-oriented

Limited to 700 participants to maintain quality and safety

Known for strong local involvement and support

The Maratona da Europa – Aveiro 2026 is a running event that will take place on April 25-26, 2026, in Aveiro, Portugal. The race offers several distances: a full marathon (42.195 km) for participants born in 2006 or earlier, a half marathon (21.0975 km) and a 10 km mini-marathon for those born in 2008 or earlier, and a 5 km walk open to all ages.

The event is open to participants without license requirements, but includes categories by age groups and offers sub-elite bibs for athletes with qualifying times. It is organized by the Câmara Municipal de Aveiro and GlobalSport with regional tourism support. The race features timed electronic chip tracking and is structured with cut-off times to ensure safety and organization.

The race route and its surroundings provide a scenic experience through Aveiro, with multiple aid stations and a supportive atmosphere. The event includes not only competitive races but also a non-competitive walk, making it inclusive for various participant profiles.

Porto Moniz

The Farol Adventure Trail – Flores Azores (FAT) returns on 25 April 2026, offering runners an unforgettable journey across the dramatic landscapes of Flores Island, Azores. Starting from the iconic Farol do Albarnaz and finishing at Farol da Ponta das Lajes, the event showcases lush valleys, coastal cliffs, volcanic formations, and waterfalls such as Poço do Bacalhau and Poço do Ferreiro.

This is more than a race—it’s an immersion into the island’s natural beauty and cultural heritage, passing through all parishes in the municipality of Lajes das Flores. Certified by the Associação de Trail Running de Portugal (ATRP), FAT is part of the National Trail Circuit, attracting both competitive trail athletes and nature enthusiasts.

Distances cater to different levels:

FAT36 – 36 km long trail (National Circuit Series 150)

FAT18 – 18 km sprint trail (National Sprint Circuit Series 150 + Youth Circuit)

FAT09 – 9 km short trail

FAT09c – 9 km walk (non-competitive)

With a friendly and community-driven atmosphere, the FAT blends elite competition with local hospitality, making it one of the most scenic and unique trail experiences in Portugal.