On Sunday, March 7, 2027 Lisbon holds one of the world's fastest half marathons — half-marathon world records have been set on this course multiple times (Jacob Kiplimo 57:31 in 2021, Peres Jepchirchir 1:02:52 in 2020), World Athletics Gold Label, net descent from the 25 de Abril Bridge to Praça do Comércio. Point-to-point from Almada (south bank of the Tagus) crossing the iconic 25 de Abril Bridge (2.3 km Golden-Gate-style suspension bridge closed to traffic for the race) in the first 3 km, descent along the Tagus riverfront and finish in Lisbon's historic heart. This guide covers what the official site doesn't quite spell out: how to manage the bridge dive without burning out (it's the #1 mistake that ruins a PB), the critical shuttle-bus logistics to the start corral, and how to combine the weekend with Lisbon tourism.

The EDP Lisbon Half Marathon is one of the world's fastest half marathons and one of the only 3 courses where the half-marathon world record has been set in the last decade (others: Valencia and Berlin/Copenhagen). Organized by Maratona Clube de Portugal since 1991, with EDP as title sponsor since 2009, it holds the World Athletics Gold Label (the highest category) and attracts global elite every March thanks to its unique combination: net descent from the 25 de Abril Bridge + cool Atlantic climate + smooth asphalt along the Tagus.

Lisbon Half is the opposite of Stramilano or Madrid Half. Where those are urban atmosphere + cobblestone + rolling, Lisbon Half is pure speed: net descent, smooth asphalt, cool Atlantic climate, no tourist distractions until the last km. The average amateur runner from a flat European half (Berlin, Cracow) shaves 30–90 seconds in Lisbon thanks to the bridge dive — but only if they manage the start well.

• If you're chasing a flat-half PB: fits perfectly. One of 3 fastest courses globally.
• If you want to run a world-record course: the obvious half marathon choice in Europe. Sub-58 minutes for men + sub-1:03 for women have been achieved here.
• If heights make you uncomfortable: watch out for the 25 de Abril Bridge — it's 70 meters above the Tagus. The race is point-to-point and you have to cross it. Not for severe vertigo.
• If traveling with non-running family: lovely. Lisbon in March is low price, high enjoyment. The Mini Marathon 7 km crossing the bridge is perfect for companions.
• If combining PB + tourism: Lisbon March = optimal Iberian option vs. Sevilla Marathon (February, marathon-distance) or Madrid Half (April, urban atmosphere). Madrid–Lisbon flight 1h.

See other European half marathons →

The EDP Lisbon Half Marathon course is a single 21.097 km point-to-point from Praça de Sant'Ana, Almada (south bank of the Tagus) to Praça do Comércio, Lisbon historic center, with ~50 m of total positive elevation and a significant net descent from the bridge. The iconic part is the bridge dive at km 1–4: you cross the 25 de Abril Bridge (suspension, 2.3 km, 70 m above the Tagus, modeled on the Golden Gate), closed to traffic only this day, with Lisbon ahead and the Atlantic Ocean to your left.

Km 0–1: start in Almada. Approach to the bridge with slight uphill.

Km 1–4: the bridge dive. You cross the 25 de Abril Bridge (2.3 km). Very gentle uphill at the bridge entry, then prolonged descent toward the Lisbon side. It gives you 60–90 seconds over your target pace if you let it. Spectacular view: Tagus below, Cristo Rei to your left (the Christ-the-Redeemer-style statue), Lisbon historic center ahead.

Km 4–10: descent into Lisbon along the Tagus riverfront (Avenida da Índia). You pass through Belém — the Monastery of the Hieronymites neighborhood, Belém Tower, Padrão dos Descobrimentos (Monument to the Discoveries). Iconic tourist zone.

Km 10–18: continue along the Tagus riverfront (Avenida Brasília → Cais do Sodré). Section where Atlantic wind can be a factor.

Km 18–21: entry into Lisbon historic center, pass through Praça do Município, and finish at the majestic Praça do Comércio facing the river — the old Commerce Square where kings received dignitaries.

Strava data: "Ponte 25 de Abril descida" (km 2–4, bridge descent) is THE iconic segment. "Tagus Riverfront Lisbon Half" (km 10–17) is the riverfront segment. Official GPX is published a few weeks before.

The EDP Lisbon Half Marathon was first run in 1991 and consolidated its position as a world-record course during 2010–2020 with historic marks:

• Men's world record: 57:31 — Jacob Kiplimo (Uganda, March 21, 2021) — was the half-marathon world record at the time (later broken by Yomif Kejelcha 57:30 in Valencia 2024). Kiplimo's mark remains among the fastest times in history.
• Women's world record: 1:02:52 — Peres Jepchirchir (Kenya, October 17, 2020) — half-marathon world record at the time (later broken by Letesenbet Gidey).

These records made Lisbon a global reference for the half marathon. With World Athletics Gold Label since the early 2010s, EDP as sponsor since 2009, and sustained growth to ~30,000 runners in the Half (plus family Mini Marathon), 2027 will be edition 36.

Race data and palmarés (recent editions):

Verified winners and times of recent editions are published on the official Maratona Clube de Portugal archive and on Wikipedia: Lisbon Half Marathon. The world records set here are the race's main calling card to international elite each year.

The EDP Lisbon Half Marathon 2027 entry opens in September 2026 and is managed via first-come-first-served (no lottery). Half cap is ~30,000 and typically closes 6–10 weeks before the race. Fees: Half €25–35 (early-bird), €45–60 (late). Mini Marathon ~€10–15. EDP doesn't use a resident/international tier — pricing is the same for all.

Indicative pricing based on the 2025 edition. Always confirm at the official site — fees update there.

THIS is the most important detail the official site doesn't emphasize enough. The start corral is in Almada (south bank of the Tagus), and the only viable way to get there is via shuttle bus from 3 pickup points in Lisbon:

• Praça do Comércio (near the finish — paradoxically, you go from finish to start by bus)
• Cais do Sodré (train station)
• Algés (western Lisbon)

Shuttles operate from ~07:30 to ~08:45 WET. You must be at bus pickup ~2.5 hours before the gun (the 10:00 WET). If you miss it, there's no real alternative (ferry doesn't run that early; car is forbidden in start zone).

Bib pickup happens at the EDP Expo at FIL (Feira Internacional de Lisboa), Parque das Nações, on Friday and Saturday before. Race-day pickup is not allowed. You need passport or photo ID.

The most practical way to reach Lisbon is via Lisbon Humberto Delgado Airport (LIS), 8 km from center, with Metro Red Line direct to Saldanha or Aeroporto. From Madrid it's 2.5 hours by air (Air Europa, Iberia, Ryanair) or 9.5 hours by AVE/Comboio. From Barcelona ~1.5h flight. Time gap with Madrid/Barcelona: 0h (Lisbon is always 1h behind Spanish peninsular time, so "10:00 WET start" is "11:00 Spanish time").

On race day, head to the shuttle bus pickup, NOT the start. Options:

• Walking to Praça do Comércio from Baixa/Chiado — 5–15 min on foot.
• Metro Green Line to Cais do Sodré from most of the city.
• CP train to Algés from the west.

Forget about parking near the start — Almada is the south bank, no accessible parking for runners on Sunday. Don't park near the finish either — all of Praça do Comércio and Baixa close Sunday morning.

For a Lisbon half-marathoner, staying in Baixa/Chiado (historic center next to Praça do Comércio) is the optimal option — walk to finish in 5 min and shuttle bus in 5 min more. The half drops you around 12:00–13:30 WET; head back to the hotel with cramps starting and you need shower + Pastel de Belém + Portuguese coffee (a Galão) + rest.

• Distance to finish: 0.3–1 km on foot. Distance to shuttle bus: 0.3–0.8 km to Praça do Comércio.
• Pros: unbeatable logistics. Walk to finish and walk to shuttle. Top restaurants, historic atmosphere, Santa Justa miradouros.
• Cons: central tourist zone, more expensive hotels. Saturday night can be loud near Bairro Alto.

• Distance to finish: 1.5–2.5 km on foot / 5 min by metro to Cais do Sodré shuttle.
• Pros: Lisbon's "Champs-Élysées" — boulevard with luxury shops, international hotels, restaurants. Well-connected by metro.

• Distance to finish: ~6 km by taxi (15 min) — need transport on Sunday.
• Pros: ON the course (km 5–8) — you can watch from the hotel. Next to Hieronymites Monastery, Belém Tower, Padrão dos Descobrimentos. Pastéis de Belém next door.
• Cons: transport mandatory for shuttle bus pickup. Further from the FIL expo.

*Indicative weekend-of-race rate (1st Sunday of March) in EUR. Varies with booking lead time. Lisbon in March is low price compared to summer (high season) — good time for quality accommodation.

Lisbon weather on the first Sunday of March averages 8 °C low at start and 18 °C high at finish with sunny or partly cloudy conditions on around 75 % of days, per IPMA (Instituto Português do Mar e da Atmosfera) data. It's maritime winter ending, spring beginning — optimal weather for a half marathon. Humidity is moderate (60–75 %), no significant rain in 8 of 10 editions, and the only variable is Atlantic wind, especially on the bridge and Tagus riverfront.

Plan by forecast:

• <8 °C at start + wind <10 km/h: ideal conditions. Target pace + 0–5 sec/km bank on bridge dive.
• 8–14 °C all day + moderate wind: the perfect conditions. Realistic PB.
• 14–20 °C + strong sun: very good day but warmer than expected. Hydration at every aid station.
• Atlantic wind >20 km/h: factor on the bridge (km 1–3) and the riverfront (km 10–17). If headwind: conservative pace on bridge. If tailwind: time bonus.

The recommended plan to prepare the EDP Lisbon Half Marathon is a 12-week block with peak volume in weeks 8–10 (between 35 km and 80+ km weekly depending on goal), progressive long run, tempo + 10K-pace interval sessions, and a 2-week taper. Lisbon is a flat course with net descent, so key sessions are sustained tempo runs and 1,000 m intervals at 10K pace.

Peak weekly volume by goal:

Based on your best recent 10K, here's your realistic Lisbon time (factoring net descent + possible wind):

The Lisbon race plan starts at the gun in Almada at 10:00 WET with temperatures of 8–10 °C (very light layer or singlet directly). The first 4 km cross the 25 de Abril Bridge — prolonged descent after the slight initial uphill. Here's mistake #1: letting the descent carry you and hitting km 4 at 30–60 seconds ahead of target. That costs you time at km 12–17 when fatigue arrives.

Race morning: wake 06:30 WET, Portuguese coffee (Galão or espresso) + light breakfast at 07:00, leave hotel at 07:30 to catch shuttle bus at 08:00 (2 hours before gun). Reach corral at 09:00 (60 min margin pre-gun). Old hoodie for corral.

Aid stations: every 5 km with water + electrolyte + banana. Drink at every one from km 5 if going slower than 1:30.

The Lisbon Half nutrition strategy is the standard for cool-weather half marathons — and takes advantage of being in Portugal. Saturday dinner is bacalhau à brás or pasta carbonara in Bairro Alto (Portuguese + Italian cuisine, both valid for loading). Saturday: 19:30 WET dinner with pasta or rice + lean protein (fish, chicken) + water. Official pasta-party (if in your package) at FIL.

Sunday breakfast (07:00 WET): 3 hours before gun (because 10:00 gun and shuttle at 08:00). White bread with honey + banana + Portuguese Galão (coffee with milk). Avoid full-fat dairy and fiber.

On course: one gel every 25–30 minutes from km 6, last at km 16. Total 3–4 gels = 150–200 g of carbs. Drink water + electrolyte at every aid station.

Post-finish recovery: banana + bar + water. And then, THE Portuguese post-Half ritual: walk to Pastéis de Belém (the original pastry shop since 1837) for the iconic pastel de nata with cinnamon. Or stay for lunch at Time Out Market (Cais do Sodré) — Europe's best food court.

Lisbon Half gear is the standard cool-weather European half kit — very light layer for 8–10 °C start, tech singlet for 13–18 °C finish. For 21 km of flat course with descent, light carbon plate is the optimal choice (you don't need a protective shoe like Vaporfly Next% — Endorphin Pro or Adios Pro 4 work perfectly).

Lisbon-specific gear:

• Very light layer or arm warmers. 8–10 °C in Almada at 09:00. Arm warmers are versatile.
• Multifunctional buff at neck. Useful if forecast <8 °C or strong Atlantic wind.
• Light cap with Velcro. Only if strong sun forecast. Velcro so it doesn't blow off on the bridge.
• Anti-chafe + nipple plasters. Standard.
• Light gel belt. For 3–4 of your own gels.
• Light carbon-plate shoes. Endorphin Pro 4, Adios Pro 4, Vaporfly 4, Metaspeed Sky+. Minimum 100 km broken in in one prior long run.

Lisbon Half is one of the world's 3 fastest half marathons with a unique setting (25 de Abril Bridge). This table compares Lisbon with its peers:

See fast half marathons →

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