How do I enter the Lisbon Marathon?

Registration is open online at running-portugal.com on a first-come, first-served basis until spots are full. There is no lottery system, so you can sign up directly without entering a draw.

Is the Lisbon Marathon a Boston qualifier?

Yes, the Lisbon Marathon is a Boston qualifier. The point-to-point course with a flat net elevation gives runners a reasonable shot at hitting their qualifying standard.

Recent editions have seen around 9,000 finishers, making it a substantial event with a well-organized field and good race-day support throughout the course.

What is the course like?

The Lisbon Marathon is a point-to-point course with a net elevation of zero feet, meaning it runs essentially flat overall. Runners travel through the city and alongside the Tagus River before finishing in central Lisbon.

What is the typical race-day weather?

October in Lisbon tends to be warm, with average temperatures ranging from the low 60s at the start to the low 70s later in the day. It's worth planning your race around the heat rather than hoping for a cool morning.

Sat, Oct 10 · 2026LisbonSince 1986

Lisbon Marathon

Lisbon runs point to point through the city and along the Tagus River, finishing in the heart of Lisbon on a course that rewards runners who come prepared for October heat.

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LISBON · PT

Lisbon

SAT, OCT 10

2026

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Race Overview

EST. 1986

Lisbon is a race that gets into your head in the best way. The point-to-point layout means you're always moving forward, and the course runs through different parts of the city before eventually tracking alongside the Tagus River into the finish. October in Lisbon can still be warm, so don't let the early miles fool you. Be patient with your pace from the gun.

The good news is that entry is straightforward. No lottery, no qualifying standard required, just open registration through the official site until spots fill. It's a Boston qualifier, and the October timing gives you a real shot at a good day if the weather cooperates. The field is large enough that you'll have company at every pace. If you're coming from abroad, Lisbon is a genuinely rewarding city to spend a few extra days in before or after, which makes the trip easier to justify. Just sign up early, respect the heat, and bring your patience for the back half.

Field size

~9.2k

9,170 finishers

BQ rate

—

Boston qualifier

Time limit

6:00

Tight cutoff

Entry

Open

First-come registration

Course records

Men

2:05:52

Andualem Shiferaw

2021

Women

2:24:13

Sarah Chepchirchir

2016

The Course

Total ascent

—

Total descent

—

Net elevation

—

Highest point

—

Lowest point

—

Course shape

Point to point

Different start and finish

The course is point to point with just under 1,000 feet of total gain, meaning climbs are real and accumulate. Lisbon's terrain is hilly by nature, so expect the elevation to come in bursts rather than one steady rise. The profile rewards conservative early pacing. Runners who go out too fast on any downhill stretches will feel the cost when the road tilts back up. Autumn temperatures sit in the low 70s at the high end, which is manageable but warm enough to affect late-race effort. Light Atlantic breezes help, though exposure on open sections can add resistance. This is not a flat PR course; treat it as a hilly race from the start.

View official course map Download GPX Past results

Race-Day Weather

10-year median

Low

60°F

High

72°F

30°MARATHON-IDEAL 45–60°80°

What to expect

October in Lisbon runs mild but warmer than most fall marathons. Expect a comfortable start that climbs into the low 70s by the time you hit the later miles. That gap matters more than it sounds on a point-to-point course with sun exposure. It's not a brutal heat day, but it's rarely a crisp PR-condition morning either. Hydrate from mile one and don't bank on cool air holding through the finish.

Entry

OPEN

Open online registration available at running-portugal.com. Unlike major marathons, no lottery system for the marathon itself.

Register on race site

Logistics

For runners travelling in

Closest airport

LIS

4 mi

from the start

≈ 10 min transferOn the doorstep

What to expect

Most travelling runners fly into LIS, about 4 miles from the start, right on the doorstep by rideshare or transit, roughly a 10-minute trip. Stay close to the start in Lisbon so you're not fighting race-morning closures and transit on tired legs. Arrive a day early to clear the expo and bib pickup, and build in buffer for gear-check and corral entry.