EDP Lisbon Marathon

A large point-to-point race beside the water

The 2026 EDP Lisbon Marathon is scheduled for October 10. The organizer lists a 42 km race, an 18,000-runner limit, and a six-hour cutoff. The route begins in Carcavelos and finishes at Praca do Comercio, so runners must plan both start transport and a finish in central Lisbon.

The course follows the coast and riverfront

The official page describes a route beside the sea and the Tagus before the city finish. That setting may look simple on a map, but the available race page does not state total elevation gain. Judge the early miles by breathing and effort, then reassess as the route turns toward central Lisbon.

Carcavelos start: protect the opening miles

Six start waves leave from 8:00 onward, assigned by predicted finish time. Settle into your own pace instead of following a quicker wave. The coastal opening is the place to check breathing, temperature, and wind while the field spreads out, not the place to bank time for the final 10 km.

Riverfront finish: keep effort available for the city

The point-to-point route finishes at Praca do Comercio after the coastal and river sections. Keep the middle miles controlled enough that changes in wind or afternoon warmth do not force a sharp slowdown. A steady effort gives you room to use the final city approach instead of merely holding on.

Do not assume coastal means flat

The reviewed official pages identify the route but do not publish a climb total. Train for small grade changes and confirm the final map or runner guide before setting split targets. When the profile is uncertain, effort is the safer pacing anchor because it accounts for grade, wind, and conditions on the day.

Solve start transport before race morning

The organizer recommends the train from Cais do Sodre to Carcavelos and says the station is about 1 km from the start. Water, toilets, bag drop, and wave boxes are listed at the start, but the reviewed pages do not give complete aid-station positions. Recheck the final runner guide before choosing what to carry.

October can begin mild and warm later

Lisbon climate normals put the average October low near 59 F and the average high near 73 F. The same record averages 8.6 days with measurable rain during the month. Pack for a mild start, but base final clothing, hydration, and pacing choices on the race-week forecast rather than the monthly averages.

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