The EDP Lisbon Marathon is promoted as one of the most beautiful races in the world, with 15,000 people taking part.
The course starts in Estrada N6-7 at Carcavelos and finishes at Praça do Comércio, running entirely along the sea and river. It's an official lAAF race that is said to attract elite athletes and international runners alike.
From the marketing, it's clear the race is designed to appeal to scenic runners and those looking for a memorable city marathon.
However, while the views are stunning, the reality of the course is far more challenging than you might expect from the promotional photos.
EXPO & BIB PICK UP
You could pick you bib up from Seaside Sport Expo between 10 am–8 pm in the days leading up to the marathon.
The expo is easy to find, clearly marked, and well organised. Bib collection is smooth with no queues, sorted by number, and there’s a station to test your chip.
Interactive activities are minimal but fun. HOKA had a large presence, offering trial shoes and a photo with your bib number which they printed out for you.
The Mimosa stand had a game where completing challenges won you a milkshake, I did press-ups for mine! All in all, I spent about an hour exploring the expo.
RACE DAY
GETTING TO THE START LINE
On race morning, I took a hotel arranged taxi (approx. €10) to Cais do Sodré station (about 6 km). Buses are also available and easy to use.
From Cais do Sodré, the train to Carcavelos takes around 30 minutes. From the station, it’s about a 1 km walk to the start line on Estrada N6-7.
RACE DAY TRAVEL NOTE
The train from Cais do Sodré takes about 30 minutes to reach Carcavelos station. On race day, several departures from Cais do Sodré are scheduled at 05:30 am, 06:00 am, 06:10 am, 06:20 am, 06:30 am, 06:40 am, 06:50 am, 07:00 am, and 07:10 am. After 07:10 am, it’s not possible to reach the marathon start on time.
Public transportation (trains, buses, and subway) is free for all runners from 05:30 am until 5:00 pm.
Total travel time: approx. 1 hour from hotel to start.
From finish back to the hotel it was around 15 minutes include tube and walking.
START ORGANISATION
Runners are sorted into starting pens based on predicted finish time, clearly marked on the bibs.
Volunteers ensure everyone enters the correct pen, which keeps the start organised. Pacers are available roughly every 15 minutes, though I only spotted the 3:00 pacer.
Important note: the marathon starts on a hill, so it’s worth factoring that into your pacing strategy for the first mile/km.
WARM UP
Before getting everyone into the boxes, they put on a warm up, which I didn’t get involved in but people looked to be enjoying it.
TOILETS & BAG DROP
The toilets were extremely busy, with a limited number of portaloos compared to the number of runners, and little to no toilet paper was in the toilets. This led to a lot of frantic runners searching for bushes/toilet or asking others for toilet roll. I’d strongly recommend arriving early and bringing your own toilet roll.
I didn’t use the bag drop myself, but it was very clearly signposted and located in the warm up/toilet area, making it easy to find and access.
WEATHER
The weather felt horrible: 95% humidity, 11 mph wind along the seafront, 20°C (68°F), overcast. From the start, my heart rate was unusually high, and my body felt off. The last 16 miles were mentally and physically exhausting.
Ironically, the moment I crossed the line, it started to rain and clear the air.
COURSE & EVENT EXPERIENCE
Although Lisbon is advertised as flat and fast, the reality is challenging. The first 15 miles feature rolling hills with roughly 800 ft of elevation gain. The last half along the seafront is mostly flat but windy and the final mile includes cobbled streets.
Spectator support is minimal for most of the course, from Cascais, Estoril, Carcavelos, Caxias, and Algés, it’s quiet. If you were passing by at around midway, you wouldn’t know a marathon was taking place. Crowds did increase near Belém and the Praça do Comércio finish line.
I found that the music and entertainment were sparse but appreciated, a Brazilian samba band at 30 km, some live singers, and a DJ were in the final 10 km which I enjoyed.
Aid stations are well spaced, offering water, gels, fruit and isotonic drinks. I grabbed water and an orange slice at 30 km, which was refreshing.
The medical support appeared excellent, though I didn’t use it. The runners guide made note of 200+ medics, paramedics, nurses, and a field hospital at the finish.
Congestion was minor, though no barriers in most areas of the run which meant people occasionally crossed the route.
COURSE HIGHLIGHTS
The seafront views are stunning but hard to enjoy when you’re suffering!
The final approach into Praça do Comércio is memorable, with a large gantry, blue carpet, music and cheering spectators which felt extra special after a tough 26 miles!
FINISH LINE & POST RACE
The finish line atmosphere is rewarding, reflective, and historic, finishing in one of Lisbon’s most iconic squares. It was stunning to run into, even more perfect was the reality that I didn’t have run any further!
Post medal, I was given a Mimosa protein drink, a banana and an ice cream. I personally then went on to enjoy a beer and tapas nearby, for a post race treat.
MEDAL
The medal is well made and the volunteers were lovely handing them out. I was a little bit of a mess collecting mine and they gave me a big cuddle, despite my sweaty self!
ENTRY DETAILS
Cost: €94.50
Date: 6th October 2024
Start Time: 8:00 AM
Start Location: Estrada N6-7, Carcavelos
Finish Line: Praça do Comércio, Lisbon
Included: T-shirt, hat, medal, race entry, chip timing.
TRAVEL & GETTING THERE
FLIGHTS
I flew from London Stansted to Lisbon on 3rd October for £50 (one-way, no luggage). I then continued my trip to Barcelona after the marathon. Though a return flight from London to Lisbon can typically be found for around £60 if booked in advance.
ACCOMMODATION
Cost: £237 for 2 nights (2-bed apartment)
Location: 300m from Moscavide Metro Station, 10 min drive from Lisbon Airport
Perks: Lovely apartment, clean and easy to find, unknowingly at the time, only a 5-minute walk from the expo.
Cost: €503.28 (including breakfast and spa)
Perks: The hotel provided me a breakfast pack for race day (banana, ham sandwiches, Pastel de Nata, orange juice, water).
Note: I would never have usually have that for breakfast, but nothing else was open on race day, even McDonald’s was closed! So this pack was essential.
GEAR
WHAT I WORE
- ASICS Metaspeed Sky Plus running shoes
- Club vest
- Sweaty Betty Power shorts (6-inch with side pockets and a zipped back pocket. Enough room to store all my gels),
- Socks which I purchased from the expo.
HOW I FUELLED
Before: Ham sandwich and banana (not ideal, but nothing else open). Usually I would have had porridge/overnight oats or jam bagels.
During: 4 x water-based High5 energy gels, a slice of orange and a cup of water. I usually take energy bytes but my delivery got lost before coming out!
After: Chocolate protein shake from the race, then beer and tapas
PERFORMANCE
My goal was sub-3 hours, but I finished in 3:11:12. My pace held for the first 10 miles but then collapsed under 95% humidity, wind, hills, and general fatigue.
Every part of me wanted to stop during the last 16 miles. Minimal crowd support made it even harder, and the lack of toilets on the route added to the challenge.
My friend ran alongside me for a portion, helping me keep moving which I was ridiculously grateful for.
I didn’t hit my goal, but mentally, finishing that race was a huge accomplishment and I am so proud of myself. The last 2 miles in the city were uplifting, and crossing the finish line was emotional.
CONCLUSION
In my opinion, having ran several marathons including London and Berlin, Lisbon Marathon is not a PB course, despite marketing, but it’s unforgettable. Prepare for humidity, wind and hills. A lesson in character building!
Arrive early for toilets, pack your own breakfast and consider bringing extra fuel or electrolytes. The seafront views, historic finish, and well organised aid and medical support are definite highlights.
I wouldn’t change the experience, the struggle made finishing that much sweeter. Having a friend alongside helped immensely, and I cried with relief and pride in the last 400 metres. The race is best suited for experienced runners looking for a scenic but tough marathon, not those chasing a fast time. Tough days truly make tougher people, and this marathon was one of the hardest and most rewarding runs I’ve ever done.
Final thought: Lisbon Marathon completed! 3:11… 11 minutes over target, but a massive mental and physical victory.