EDP Lisbon Marathon 2026

The EDP Lisbon Marathon is one of the most prestigious long-distance races on the European calendar, holding the World Athletics Elite Label and organized by Maratona Clube de Portugal (MCP) with support from the municipalities of Lisbon, Cascais, and Oeiras. The 2026 edition — the 38th in the race's history — will take place on Saturday, October 10th, starting at 8:00 am, with a maximum field of 18,000 runners.The 42.195 km course, largely flat, begins in Carcavelos, near Universidade Nova School of Business, and first follows the Atlantic coastline through the municipalities of Cascais and Oeiras before entering Lisbon along the banks of the Tagus River. Runners leave the open ocean behind to meet the historic city, passing close to the landmarks of the Belém district — symbolically tied to Portugal's Age of Discovery — before heading into the final stretch toward the heart of the capital. The finish line sits in Praça do Comércio, one of Europe's most iconic riverside squares, framed by the Pombaline buildings rebuilt after the 1755 earthquake.The race atmosphere shifts gradually: the intimacy of the early coastal miles, with the Atlantic a constant presence, builds into the rising energy of approaching Lisbon, culminating in a vibrant finish surrounded by crowds in the historic center. Organizers provide official aid stations every 5 km, medical coverage along the entire course and at the finish, "My Laps" timing technology, and pacers to help runners hit their target times. The overall time limit is 6 hours, with a cut-off at km 30 at 12:40 pm.Beyond the race itself, marathon weekend coincides with the SportExpo at the FIL venue (Parque das Nações), where participants collect their bib and kit, and where much of the pre-race buzz is concentrated. For first-time visitors to Lisbon, the race day also doubles as a way to experience — stride by stride — a city where ocean, river, colonial history, and urban modernity all meet along a single course.