Algarve Marathon 2026 | 1st Edition
Algarve Marathon 2026:
The Complete Guide
The first-ever Algarve Marathon starts and finishes at Marina de Vilamoura, 30 minutes from Faro Airport. Route maps, elevation, prices, race-weekend schedule and the easiest way to get to the start line.
Quick answer: when and where is the Algarve Marathon?
The Algarve Marathon 2026 takes place on Sunday 6 December 2026, with the start and finish at Marina de Vilamoura in the municipality of Loulé. The marathon, half marathon, 10K and 5K solidarity walk all start at 08:30. Faro Airport is about 30 minutes away by car.
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A December marathon beside the Atlantic
The Algarve Marathon is brand new. This is its first edition, launched in May 2026 by Turismo do Algarve with the support of Loulé council and organised by GlobalSport, under the motto "Muito mais que uma maratona" (much more than a marathon). The idea is simple: swap a grey European winter for mild coastal running, and turn a race into a weekend away.
Two legends of Portuguese athletics are attached to the debut. Carlos Lopes, Portugal's first Olympic gold medallist (Los Angeles 1984), is the patron, and three-time world road champion Aurora Cunha is the matron. The marathon, half marathon and 10K are certified by the Portuguese Athletics Federation (FPA) and World Athletics.
Dates, prices & essential info
| Race | Distance | Time limit | Entry from |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marathon | 42.195 km | 6 h | €65 (final online phase) |
| Half Marathon | 21.0975 km | 3 h | €40 |
| 10K Run | 10 km | 1 h 40 | €35 |
| Solidarity Walk | 5 km | 1 h 30 | €14 |
Registration: online entries close on 25 November 2026, and prices rise by phase, so enter early on the official registration page. Start and finish: Marina de Vilamoura, Loulé. Official website: algarvemarathon.com.
Algarve Marathon route map & elevation
All courses start and finish at the marina, run through the municipality of Loulé along the coast, and return to the same point. The profile is rolling rather than flat: the marathon climbs 252 m in total, between 1 and 58 m above sea level. Pick a distance to load the official route.
Routes are the organiser's official certified courses. The 5K walk route had not been published when we checked. Your watch may read slightly short of the certified distance. To train on the course, import the GPX into Garmin, Coros or Strava.
Race weekend schedule
Race office and Marathon Expo at the Tivoli Marina Hotel. Collect your bib and kit.
Race office and Expo open again. Easiest day to collect your kit if you land on Friday night.
Start of the Marathon, Half Marathon, 10K and Solidarity Walk at Marina de Vilamoura.
Side activities, ceremonies and race-day service timings had not been published at the time of writing. We update this guide when the organiser releases them.
How to get to the Algarve Marathon start in Vilamoura
An 08:30 gun means an early morning. Airport-to-marina is about 30 minutes by car, but the organiser had not yet published parking, public transport or road-closure details, and vehicles that are not part of the organisation are not allowed on the course. That is why many runners are booking a driver who can plan the final approach.
| Option | Best for | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| Private transfer (QP Transfers) | Airport arrivals, groups, families, early starts, a fixed return after the finish | Book early for race weekend |
| Taxi | Short hops from Vilamoura or Quarteira | Pre-book, as very early Sunday availability varies |
| Rental car | Exploring the Algarve afterwards | Parking and closures not yet published |
| Walking | Staying in Vilamoura itself | Allow time for the walk and the start-area crowds |
Plan your race-morning pickup
Choose where you are staying to see an estimated drive time and a suggested pickup, assuming you want to be at the start about 90 minutes before the 08:30 gun.
Estimates for quiet Sunday-morning roads. Final drop-off points depend on road closures the organiser has yet to announce.
✈️ Faro Airport transfers
Fixed price from €36 to Vilamoura, with flight monitoring and no extra charge for delays. Book Faro to Vilamoura.
🏨 Hotel to start line
Pre-book a pickup from Albufeira, Quarteira, Loulé or Quinta do Lago at the time that suits your warm-up.
🏁 Pickup after the finish
Agree a time and meeting point before the race, then save your driver's number offline.
Where to stay for the Algarve Marathon
December is low season, so rooms are easier to find than in summer, but race weekend will fill the closest hotels. Choose a base for how you want to reach the start.
⛵ Vilamoura
Closest to the start and the Tivoli Marina expo. Marina restaurants, golf and beaches on the doorstep.
🏖️ Quarteira
Beach town in the same municipality, a short drive from the marina with plenty of apartments.
🌅 Albufeira
The widest choice of hotels, restaurants and nightlife, about 25 minutes west of Vilamoura.
🏡 Quinta do Lago & Vale do Lobo
Quiet, upmarket resorts east of Vilamoura, ideal for families and golfers.
Hotel pickups from any of these are covered by our Algarve airport transfers, including Albufeira and Quinta do Lago.
Things to do before and after the race
⛳ Golf in Vilamoura
World-famous courses within minutes. See our golf transfers.
🍷 Wine tasting
A perfect recovery afternoon at Quinta da Tôr in the Loulé hills.
🏝️ Beaches & marina
Stroll the marina, or walk the golden sand of Praia da Falésia once the legs allow.
🧭 Day trips
Ask about our longer journeys across the Algarve, Lisbon and Seville.
Visiting for another event? See our guides to MotoGP Portugal 2026, the F1 Portuguese Grand Prix 2027 and Afro Nation Portugal 2027.
Race-week tips
🧥 Dress for the start
December mornings can be cool even if the daytime average is mild. Bring a throwaway layer for the start pen.
🎽 Collect your kit early
The expo opens Friday and Saturday, 10:00–19:00, at the Tivoli Marina Hotel. Don't leave it for race morning.
⛰️ Respect the rolls
252 m of climb is modest, but repeated gentle hills punish a fast start. Pace the first 10K.
📱 Save everything offline
Bib number, driver's number, pickup point and hotel address, in case your battery drops.
Algarve Marathon FAQ
When is the Algarve Marathon 2026?
On Sunday 6 December 2026, with a shared 08:30 start for the marathon, half marathon, 10K and 5K solidarity walk.
Where does the Algarve Marathon start and finish?
At Marina de Vilamoura, in the municipality of Loulé, for all four distances.
How far is Vilamoura from Faro Airport?
About 30 minutes by car. A pre-booked private transfer from Faro Airport to Vilamoura starts from €36 with QP Transfers.
How hilly is the Algarve Marathon course?
It is rolling. The marathon has about 252 m of total climb and 251 m of descent, the half marathon about 111 m and the 10K about 48 m. Start and finish are at sea level.
How much does it cost to enter?
The marathon is €65 in the final online phase, the half marathon from €40, the 10K from €35 and the 5K walk from €14. Online registration closes on 25 November 2026.
Is the course certified?
Yes. The marathon, half marathon and 10K are certified by the FPA and World Athletics. The 5K walk is a charity event and is not certified.
Where do I collect my bib?
At the race office and Marathon Expo at the Tivoli Marina Hotel on 4 and 5 December, from 10:00 to 19:00.
What is the time limit for the marathon?
Six hours. The half marathon limit is three hours, the 10K is 1 hour 40 and the walk is 1 hour 30.
Can I book a transfer for the morning of the race?
Yes. Message us on WhatsApp with your pickup point, number of runners and luggage, and we will confirm a fixed price. Child seats are free when requested at booking.
Get to the start line stress-free
Private transfers from Faro Airport and across the Algarve, with fixed prices and flight monitoring. Trusted by more than 100,000 travellers since 2015.
Book via WhatsApp → Faro Airport transfers