EuropePortugal

Porto Marathon

A characterful, rolling tour of Porto's hills and port-wine riverfront.

Good for Debut
3.6/10 Difficulty
164m Elevation Gain
2004 Founded

Course Map

Elevation Profile
km
mi

Route based on 2025 course — may differ slightly from this year.

About this Race

The EDP Porto Marathon is a course through Portugal's atmospheric northern city, tracing the Douro River past the historic port-wine cellars and the steep, characterful hillside districts. The terrain rolls more than the Lisbon course, with some genuine undulation amid the dramatic river setting. Held in November, it offers mild autumn conditions and scenic riverside views. The historic city and river define the day. It suits runners who want a characterful, scenic Portuguese race and don't mind the rolling terrain over a flat-out fast time.

city undulating scenic river coastal

Course Insight

Porto is a November marathon along the Douro and the coast, rolling in places and scenic, with the chance of Atlantic damp. Pace the rises by effort and don't over-run the early miles. Cool, changeable conditions suit racing. The riverside and ocean scenery are a lift. Run the rollers with restraint and the course stays manageable to the line.

Pro tip: Pace the rolling sections by effort along the Douro and coast and welcome any cool Atlantic damp.

Difficulty Breakdown

3.6/10

A balanced marathon with no single defining challenge.

Elevation
3.8
Hill Placement
5.5
Weather
1.5
Turns
3.0

How we calculate difficulty →

Course Details

Course type
Point-To-Point
Elevation gain
164m
Elevation loss
153m
Highest point
41m
Lowest point
6m
Net elevation
+11m
Start
Starts at SEALIFE Porto, finishes at Queimodromo next to Parque da Cidade do Porto.
Cutoff time
6h 0m

Race History

The EDP Porto Marathon is a course through Portugal's atmospheric northern city, tracing the Douro River past the historic port-wine cellars and the steep hillside districts. Its rolling terrain amid dramatic river scenery gave it a characterful profile. Over the years it drew a steady field to the historic city. Held each autumn, it remains a scenic, undulating Portuguese race.

Plan Your Trip

Everything you need to know to get there, get settled, and get to the start line.

Nearest airport(s)
Porto Francisco Sá Carneiro (OPO)
Best area to stay
The Ribeira for atmospheric stays near the route, Cedofeita for trendy, characterful options, and Foz do Douro for scenic seaside stays.
Getting to the start
The start is in the city or up the coast; take the Metro do Porto to a station near the start and walk in.

You might also like

Shanghai Marathon
Shanghai, China
Debut 2.1/10
Beijing Marathon
Beijing, China
Debut 2.1/10
Toronto Waterfront Marathon
Toronto, Canada
Debut 2.6/10
Athens Marathon
Athens, Greece
Debut 4.8/10
Istanbul Marathon
Istanbul, Turkey
Debut 3.5/10
Disney World Marathon
Orlando, United States
Debut 2.1/10
Twin Cities Marathon
Minneapolis-Saint Paul, United States
Debut 3.6/10
Tucson Marathon
Tucson, United States
Debut 5.1/10
Lisbon Marathon
Lisbon, Portugal
Debut 4.5/10
Tokyo Marathon
Tokyo, Japan
Major Debut 4.2/10
Vienna City Marathon
Vienna, Austria
Debut 2.2/10
Edinburgh Marathon
Edinburgh, United Kingdom
Debut 2.1/10
Rio de Janeiro Marathon
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Debut 3.3/10
Grandma's Marathon
Duluth, United States
Debut 3.1/10
Mountain to Beach Marathon
Ventura, United States
Debut 3.2/10
Milwaukee Marathon
Milwaukee, United States
Debut 2.8/10
New York City Marathon
New York, United States
Major Debut 5.3/10
Frankfurt Marathon
Frankfurt, Germany
Debut 2.2/10
Marine Corps Marathon
Washington DC, United States
Debut 4.6/10
Munich Marathon
Munich, Germany
Debut 2.4/10
Honolulu Marathon
Honolulu, United States
Debut 4.3/10
Dublin Marathon
Dublin, Ireland
Debut 4.4/10
Warsaw Marathon
Warsaw, Poland
Debut 2.4/10
Buenos Aires Marathon
Buenos Aires, Argentina
Debut 2.7/10
Amazing Thailand Marathon
Bangkok, Thailand
4.4/10
Taipei Marathon
Taipei, Taiwan
Debut 2.6/10
Beirut Marathon
Beirut, Lebanon
Debut 3.4/10
Casablanca Marathon
Casablanca, Morocco
Debut 3.8/10
Marrakech Marathon
Marrakech, Morocco
Debut 3.1/10
Philadelphia Marathon
Philadelphia, United States
Debut 3.8/10