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 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.

The Vouga Trail 2026 is a trail running event taking place from January 9 to 11, 2026, in Sever do Vouga, Portugal. It offers a variety of race distances, including ultra (55 km), long (38 km), short (20 km), mini (12 km), and uphill (5 km) trails, as well as a non-competitive 12 km walk and a kids’ social event with distances from 500 to 2000 meters adjusted by age.

This event is open mainly to adult athletes (18+), with younger categories for mini and kids events, and includes timed races with official classification. It features challenging elevation profiles, with up to 2800 meters of positive climb, across natural heritage areas with lush trails, riverbanks, levadas, and scenic mountain views around the Serra da Freita, Arestal, and Ladário massifs.

The atmosphere combines competitive trail racing with social and family-oriented activities, including the Vouga Kids event and a walking trail, making it inclusive for various participant profiles. The event also offers a multi-stage Green Stages race totaling 63 km, spread over three days.

The Linhas de Torres 100 returns on January 30–31, 2026, offering an epic trail challenge across the historic Linhas de Torres Vedras, the legendary military defense system north of Lisbon. All events finish at Expotorres, Torres Vedras.

This is more than a race — it’s a journey through cultural heritage, rugged landscapes, and technical trails, with options for everyone:

Trail Ultra Endurance – 100 km (solo or relay of 2 or 4)

Trail Ultra – 50 km

Trail Long – 30 km

Trail Sprint – 20 km

Trail Short – 10 km

Hikes – 20 km and 10 km

Kids’ Races – for ages 7 to 15

Integrated in the ATRP National Trail Circuit, this inclusive event supports a social cause (APSA – Portuguese Association for Asperger Syndrome) and fosters a community spirit across all age groups.