Swimrun Portugal Events

There are now FIVE Swimrun Portugal events, which take place on mainland Portugal as well as the island of Madeira.

These are tough but enjoyable races; some are in the Atlantic Ocean - a real challenge - some are in freshwater lakes. A great series!

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Swimrun Portugal Events

Tróia Swimrun

Swimrun Troia in Portugal.

Date: 14th April 2025

Venue: Tróia peninsula

Distances: Sprint (18.3 km) and Standard (26.5 km)

Sprint:

TOTAL DISTANCE - 18.300 m
Swim - 2.800 m
Run - 15.500 m
TRANSITIONS - 3 Swim / 4 Run
Longest Swim - 1.300 m
Longest Run - 8.000 m
Total elevation gain - 176 D +
Timeout: 4 Hours

Standard:

TOTAL DISTANCE - 26.500 m
Swim - 3.900 m
Run - 22.600 m
TRANSITIONS - 5 Swim / 6 Run
Longest Swim - 1.100 m
Longest Run - 8.300 m
Total elevation gain - 200 D +
Timeout: 6 Hours

The Tróia Peninsula has a strip of golden sand about 17 km long and 1.5 km wide, surrounded by blue sea and the River Sado.
This is a stunning setting with the extensive beaches and the Caldeira lagoon in the Sado estuary. There are also Roman ruins and a natural dolphin habitat, overlooked by the majestic Serra da Arrábida.

Troia Sprint map

Standard distance map

For more information on the Troia event, go to the Swimrun Portugal Series here.

Swimrun Portugal Events

Lagoa Swimrun

Swimrun Lagoa Portugal

Date: 18 May 2025

Venue: Lagoa, The Algarve

Distances: Sprint (12.7 km) and Standard (26.3 km)

Sprint:

TOTAL DISTANCE - 12.700 m
Swim - 2.700 m
Run - 10.100 m
TRANSITIONS - 4 Swim / 5 Run
Longest Swim - 1.000 m
Longest Run - 5.300 m
Total elevation gain - 410 D +
Timeout: 4 Hours

Standard:

TOTAL DISTANCE - 26.300 m
Swim - 4.980 m
Run - 21.320 m
TRANSITIONS - 7 Swim / 8 Run
Longest Swim - 1.000 m
Longest Run - 5.300 m
Total elevation gain - 890 D +
Timeout: 7 Hours

Starting at the "Ermida da Senhora da Rocha", you will run along the Seven Hanging Valleys route, voted the best hiking destination in Europe. Towards the end, you will go through the Caminho dos Promontórios and finish at the beautiful village of Ferragudo.

Over the course you will see cliffs and rock formations in various weird shapes. You can also explore some beaches and caves, such as the Benagil Cave which is only accessible by sea. You must also include Caneiros Beach, the iconic image of the Algarve.

Sprint distance map

Lagoa Swimrun Portugal Standard distance Map

For more information on the Lagoa event, go to the Swimrun Portugal Series here.

Tâmega Swimrun

A swimrunner swimming through grey waters at the Tamega Swimrun Portugal

NOTE: THIS EVENT IS NO LONGER PART OF THE PORTUGAL SERIES, BUT IT TAKES PLACE IN PORTUGAL, SO WE INCLUDE IT HERE.

Date: 1st June 2025 - Otillo Merit Race

Venue: Entre os rios, Northern Portugal

Distances: Sprint (16.4 km), Standard (30.4 km)), and Marathon (42.4 km)

Sprint:

TOTAL DISTANCE - 16.400 m
Swim - 2.750 m
Run - 13.650 m
TRANSITIONS - 4 Swim / 5 Run
Longest Swim - 850 m
Longest Run - 5.500 m
Total elevation gain - 353 D +
Timeout: 4 Hours

Standard:

TOTAL DISTANCE - 30.400 m
Swim - 3.250 m
Run - 27.150 m
TRANSITIONS - 7 Swim / 8 Run
Longest Swim - 850 m
Longest Run - 8.000 m
Total elevation gain - 1.220 D +
Timeout: 6 Hours

Marathon

TOTAL DISTANCE - 42.400 m
Swim - 5.250 m
Run - 37.150 m
TRANSITIONS - 10 Swim / 11 Run
Longest Swim - 1200 m
Longest Run - 8.000 m
Total elevation gain - 1.220 D +
Timeout: 7 Hours

The race is in Entre-os-rios, a historic town at the confluence of the Tâmega River and Douro River. On the course you will run the banks of the Tâmega, starting from Entre-os-Rios marina and moving up the river to the basin of the Torrão dam.

The highest point is in the village of Rio de Moinho - Miradouro da Capela do Senhor dos Remédios. You will see the whole course you have just run.

The Tâmega Swimrun also has FIVE age groups in “Swimrun Kids” format.

There are prizes of €150 for first place, €100 for second place, and €50 for thitd place, plus T-shirts for all competitors, and medals for finishers, plus miscellaneous prizes!

Tamega Swimrun Portugal Sprint course Map

Tamega Sprint Swimrun map

Tamega Swimrun Portugal Standard distance map

Tamega standard distance map

For more information on the Tamega event, go to the Ötillö Merit Tamega Swimrun 2025 website.

Swimrun Portugal events

Penacova Swimrun

Date: 15.06.2025

Venue: Penacova

Distances: Sprint (15.3 km) and Standard (26 km).

Sprint:

TOTAL DISTANCE - 15,300 m
Swimming - 1,500 m
Running - 13,800 m
TRANSITIONS - 3 Swimming / 3 Race
Distance Nado longest - 500 m
Distance Running longer - 9.100 m
Total elevation gain - 691 D+
Time limit: 4 Hours

Standard:

FULL DISTANCE - 26,000 m
Swimming - 2,700 m
Race - 23,300 m
TRANSITIONS - 4 Swimming / 4 Race
Distance Nado Longer - 900 m
Distance Longer running - 12,500 m
Total elevation gain - 963 D+
Time limit: 6 Hours

Located in an area of great natural beauty, the municipality of Penacova has a huge network of pedestrian trails of unique beauty, with many forest paths and single tracks along the banks of the river Mondego, which makes this a special place to host a Swimrun event.

Located right in the Centre of Portugal, close to Coimbra with many accomodation options, this event has proven to be very popular.

The race routes include stunning trails that surround the entire river Mondego, with the Praia do Reconquinho, the viewpoint Penedo do Castro and the viewpoint Emídio da Silva, the Moinhos de Gavinhos and the iconic Livaria do Mondego.

Swimrun Portugal Penacova Sprint distance route map

Sprint route map

Standard distance route map.

For more information on the Penacova event, go to the Swimrun Portugal Series here.

Zêzere Swimrun

Zezere Swimrun

Date: 14 September 2025

Venue: Castelo de Bode Dam

Distances: Sprint (16.8 km) and Standard (26.2 km)

Sprint:

TOTAL DISTANCE - 16.800 m
Swim - 3.000 m
Run - 13.800 m
TRANSITIONS - 6 Swim / 6 Run
Longest Swim - 700 m
Longest Run - 5.500 m
Total elevation gain - 705 D +
Timeout: 4 Hours

Standard:

TOTAL DISTANCE - 26.200 m
Swim -3.900 m
Run - 22.300 m
TRANSITIONS - 8 Swim / 8 Run
Longest Swim - 1.000 m
Longest Run - 5.500 m
Total elevation gain - 1.062 D +
Timeout: 6 Hours

You will begin at the Fontes lookout in the municipality of Abrantes, and then follow the contours of the Grande Rota do Zêzere on challenging trails, with breathtaking views over the Castelo de Bode Dam. The finish line is at the Fluvial Beach of Aldeia do Mato.

The warm temperatures at the end of summer are perfect for swimrun, with water temperatures between 20 and 23 degrees and air temperatures of about 28 degrees. It can get pretty hot, so you will have to think about managing your effort on the running sections. All swimming is in the fresh water of the dam.

Zezere Sprint map

Zezere Swimrun Portugal Standard distance Map

Zezere Standard distance course map

For more information on the Zezere event, go to the Swimrun Portugal Series here.

Madeira Swimrun

Swimrun Madeira

Date: TBC 2025

Venue: Madeira

Distances: Sprint (11.4 km) and Standard (25.5 km)

Sprint:

TOTAL DISTANCE - 11.380 m
Swim - 2.230 m
Run - 9.150 m
TRANSITIONS - 3 Swim / 3 Run
Longest Swim - 1.100 m
Longest Run - 4.500 m
Total elevation gain - 582 D+
Timeout: 4 Hours

Standard:

TOTAL DISTANCE - 25.510 m
Swim - 3.360 m
Run - 22.150 m
TRANSITIONS - 5 Swim / 5 Run
Longest Swim - 1.100 m
Longest Run - 8.500 m
Total elevation gain - 1.370 D +
Timeout: 6 Hours

The island of Madeira is called "The “Pearl of the Atlantic" or "The island of Eternal Spring". Madeira has a mild climate ranging from 25°C in summer and 17°C in winter, combined with moderate humidity.

Under the influence of the warm current from the Gulf of Mexico, the water is also very mild,at 22°C in the summer and 18°C in the winter.

This is one of the best events in Swimrun calendar. You will be dropped off by sea off Ponta de São Lourenço, one of the biggest attractions on the island of Madeira. You will then follow Caniçal to the city of Machico, crossing a variety of challenging trails like Pico do Facho. There will be challenging sea conditions on the crossings of Prainha and Ribeira do Natal.