IS IT CHRISTMAS TIME ALREADY?!?

Well... I do feel like it’s celebration time for runners in Portugal and, in particular, for us living in Porto and the northern area! It’s all happening in this next few weeks!  

​Check out the 'gift list’:

NEXT RACES IN PORTO AND NORTH OF PORTUGAL:

2016 WORLD TRAIL RUNNING CHAMPIONSHIPS

​I dare to say: the Portuguese trail running community is truly excited right now...!

Coming up this weekend, the IAU/ITRA 2016 World Trail Championships will take place in the Peneda-Gerês National Park (1 hour drive from Oporto international airport).

 Starting at 5.00AM this Saturday, 40 national teams - list here -  will be diving into green forests, 85kms of nature trails and small unique villages. Also there will be 2 parallel running events open to the public (55 & 16km) which will help bring color and supporters to the main race.


News and foreign press, including some of the national team's expectations:

NL: http://www.mudsweattrails.nl/IAU_Trail_World_Championships_2016
ES: http://www.trailrun.es/actualidad/articulo/mundial-geres-pre-campeonato
UK:http://www.britishathletics.org.uk/media/news/2016-news-page/june-2016/20-06-16-world-trail-team/
USA:http://trailrunner.com/trail-news/team-usa-ready-set-go-iau-trail-championships/
​PT:  https://www.facebook.com/AssociacaoTrailRunningPortugal/

The smiley faces of the Portuguese National Trail Running team, 2016.  It's game-on time for everybody!!

Official Video - WTC - Portugal 2016 - Carlos Sá Nature Events -organizer

---

PORTO MARATHON - 6th November

One week later (6th Nov), Porto hosts it's annual marathon with a route that includes seaside views and many kms along river Douro. Runners have the opportunity to cross the old Luiz I iron bridge and go all the way to Afurada, a small fishermen village close to the river mouth. Ribeira district and the Port wine lodges in Gaia are the highlights of this surprisingly flat course. Bibs will be handed out in the old Customs building ('Alfandega'), during the marathon expo (Porto marathon's website) - be sure to visit!


If you arrive in Porto a few days earlier, we’d be more than happy to host a ‘marathon warmup’ tour of the city for you, maybe explore a bit of the historic center and provide you with some information so that you keep an eye out for interest points during the race. 

We'll be involved in a couple of 'brand activation' and corporate events during the marathon weekend but sure we'll manage. A run with you or your group will always be possible!

OUR CONTACTS | BOOK A RUNNING TOUR

Runners cross the river back and forth on the lower deck of the 19th century iron bridge LUIZ I

Official Video - 2015's edition - organizing: RUNPORTO

---

GERÊS MARATHON - 4th DECEMBER

It's back to the National Park, Peneda-Gerês, this time for a road marathon!  But not the flat kind: 1350m of positive ascent + 1350m negative will put everyone’s legs to the test. If you’re up for a true challenge and you'd like to run in a natural environment, this is certainly a race to consider.  

If you’re not as prepared, you can either register with a team in the 42km relay or try the shorter 21km or 13km solo races. Like I said before, it’s one hour drive from Porto, which means you can have the best of both worlds: great food + cosy accommodation in the city and a great run outdoors in a national Park. 
​
Let us know if you need any help planning your trip or accommodation. Bib numbers are being distributed in Porto a few days before, we can also help you with that procedure.

OUR CONTACTS | BOOK A RUNNING TOUR IN PORTO

From my experience on the 2014's edition : this race is one hard nut to crack, I must say...!

Official video - 2014 - Organizing: Carlos Sá Nature Events

SOME USEFUL LINKS:
Extreme Marathon - to register go to: http://carlossanatureevents.com/evento.aspx?idEvento=GEMA
Porto Marathon - official website :  http://www.porto-marathon.com

​#visitPorto #itsallhappening