Lisbon Half Marathon 2026: 35th Edition Shuts Down the Ponte 25 de Abril for a Historic Race
Few road races in the world can match the spectacle of the Lisbon Half Marathon, and the 35th edition of this iconic event promises to be the most memorable yet. On March 8, 2026, tens of thousands of runners will cross the Ponte 25 de Abril — Lisbon's answer to the Golden Gate Bridge — in a 21.1-kilometer journey that combines elite athletic competition with one of Europe's most breathtaking urban landscapes.
A Bridge Closed, A City United
The Ponte 25 de Abril is one of Portugal's most recognizable landmarks, a crimson suspension bridge stretching 2.3 kilometers across the Tagus River and connecting Lisbon to the municipality of Almada on the south bank. For 364 days a year, it carries roughly 150,000 vehicles daily. But on race day, the bridge belongs to the runners.
The closure of the Ponte 25 de Abril transforms the race's opening kilometers into something genuinely unique in world athletics. Runners begin on the south side of the Tagus in Almada, ascending to the bridge deck before crossing high above the river with panoramic views of Lisbon's terracotta rooftops, the Cristo Rei statue, and the shimmering Atlantic beyond. It is a start that no other half marathon on earth can replicate.
The logistical challenge of closing one of Lisbon's primary transportation arteries is enormous, requiring coordination between race organizers, municipal authorities, and Portugal's infrastructure agency. Alternative routes are established, ferry services are expanded, and the entire southern approach to Lisbon is reconfigured for the morning. It is a testament to the race's cultural significance that the city undertakes this disruption willingly, year after year.
Honoring Rosa Mota
The 35th edition carries special significance as organizers honor Rosa Mota, Portugal's greatest distance runner and one of the most decorated female marathoners in history. Mota won the Olympic marathon gold medal at the 1988 Seoul Games, claimed three European Championship titles, and won the Boston Marathon three times — achievements that established her as a national hero and an inspiration to generations of Portuguese runners.
Now 68, Mota remains deeply connected to the Portuguese running community. Her presence at the 2026 Lisbon Half Marathon as the event's honorary starter adds emotional weight to an already special occasion. Organizers have also dedicated a section of the race route to her legacy, with displays celebrating her career achievements lining the riverside promenade near the Belém Tower.
"Rosa Mota showed Portugal and the world what was possible," said the race director. "Thirty-five years of this race would not exist without the culture of running she helped create in this country."
The Elite Field
While the mass participation event draws the largest crowds, the elite race features a competitive international field chasing prize money and fast times. The Lisbon course, which drops from the bridge elevation down to the flat riverside roads along the Tagus, is considered fast and has produced several course records in recent editions.
East African athletes have traditionally dominated the elite race, and the 2026 edition features strong contingents from Kenya and Ethiopia. However, Portuguese runners have shown increasing competitiveness in recent years, and the home crowd support along the final kilometers through Belém and into the Praça do Comércio finish area creates an atmosphere that lifts domestic athletes to their best performances.
The women's elite race is expected to be particularly competitive, with several sub-67-minute half marathoners on the start list. Organizers are hopeful that the fast course and favorable early-spring conditions could produce a new event record.
The Course and Conditions
After the dramatic bridge crossing, runners descend into Lisbon and follow the north bank of the Tagus westward through some of the city's most historic neighborhoods. The route passes the LX Factory, the Jerónimos Monastery, and the Belém Tower before turning toward the city center and the grand finish at Praça do Comércio, one of Europe's most beautiful public squares.
March weather in Lisbon is typically favorable for distance running, with temperatures in the low teens and occasional cloud cover providing protection from the sun. The coastal location means wind can be a factor, particularly on the exposed bridge crossing, but conditions generally support fast times.
How to Follow the Race
The 2026 Lisbon Half Marathon will be broadcast live on RTP, Portugal's public broadcaster, with international streaming available through the European Athletics platform. Live tracking for all participants is available through the race's official app, allowing friends and family worldwide to follow runners in real time as they cross the bridge and make their way through the city.
For those in Lisbon, spectator hotspots include the bridge viewing area in Almada, the Belém waterfront, and the finish line at Praça do Comércio, where a festival atmosphere with live music and food stalls accompanies the race throughout the morning.
