Lisbon Marathon

Location: Lisbon
Country: Portugal
Website: https://maratonaclubedeportugal.com/en/prova/edp-lisbon-marathon/
2025 Marathon Date: 25/10/2025
2026 Marathon Date: TBC
Winning Time 2025: 02:23:46
% Sub-3s: 2–5%
# Sub-3s: 100–499
Total Runners: 3k–10k

Lisbon Marathon combines Atlantic coastline running, historic city arrival, and a course that looks deceptively gentle on paper. It begins outside the city in Cascais and works its way along the shoreline towards Lisbon, meaning an early rhythm is supported by flat stretches, ocean air, and dramatic sea views. But this is a marathon where managing expectations and energy is key. Lisbon rewards restraint — strong finishes here are built on patience in the first half and craft in the second.

The opening kilometres along the coast are smooth and calm, the kind that can lure runners into pacing ambition before the race has truly begun. Sea breezes are part of the identity of this event — sometimes cooling, sometimes a subtle headwind that adds quiet resistance. Once the route swings toward the city, the environment becomes more urban, with tram tracks, shifting surfaces, and the energy of Lisbon building with every kilometre. The closing stages offer glimpses of landmarks and harbourfront life, culminating in a city-centre finish that feels earned rather than handed to you.

Mid-to-late October in Lisbon often means mild mornings and a gradually warming day. Hydration strategy matters: what feels cool at the start can become subtly warm by halfway, so gels and fluids need to be timed rather than reactive. Aid stations are well-placed for athletes who plan ahead. Racing here is about economy — relaxed shoulders, steady cadence, and sensible heart-rate control.

Crowd support varies along the route — quieter near the coast with moments of lively encouragement in towns, then increasingly vocal as runners enter Lisbon proper. This natural progression mirrors a well-executed race plan: quiet focus early, building energy later, a controlled push over the final kilometres. The finish feels celebratory without tipping into chaos — a moment of connection with the city, the course, and the ocean you’ve left behind.

For sub-3 runners, Lisbon is not a place to chase aggressive splits from the gun. It’s a race for athletes who understand the long game: measure effort, resist urgency, and trust strength over the final 10 kilometres. Those who approach Lisbon with discipline, composure, and respect for the elements will find a course that rewards the patient and punishes the impulsive. A marathon of character, subtlety, and scenery — best run with head and heart aligned.