Swimrun Portugal Events

There are 7 Swimrun Portugal events, which take place on mainland Portugal as well as the island territories of Madeira and the Azores.

These are tough but enjoyable races; some are in the Atlantic Ocean - a real challenge - some are on the magical Algarve coast, and some are in freshwater lakes. A great series!

Swimrun Portugal Events

Azores Islands Swimrun

Date: 4th March 2023

Venue: São Miguel Island, The Azores

Distances: Sprint (14.35 km) and Standard (29.5 km).

Sprint:

TOTAL DISTANCE - 14.350 m
Swim - 1.200 m
Run -13.100 m
TRANSITIONS - 2 Swim / 3 Run
Longest Swim - 600 m
Longest Run - 6.500 m
Total elevation gain - 590 D +
Timeout: 4,5 Hours

Standard:

TOTAL DISTANCE - 29.500 m
Swim - 3.500 m
Run - 25.60 m
TRANSITIONS - 4 Swim / 5 Run
Longest Swim - 1.700 m
Longest Run - 9.300 m
Total elevation gain - 1.460 D +
Timeout: 6 Hours

This year, the race will take place in the Northwest of São Miguel Island, Ponta Delgada. The Blue Lagoon of the 7 Cities has a surface area of about 4 km2, and a depth of about 33 meters, and is the largest freshwater lake in the Azores.
This is one of the Seven Wonders of Portugal - two lagoons of different colour next to each other - Lagoa Azul (blue) and Lagoa Verde (green).

Sprint distance map

Standard distance map.

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

Tróia Swimrun

Swimrun Troia in Portugal.

Date: 15 and 16 April 2023

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 Swimrun Troia event, go to the Swimrun Portugal Series here.

Swimrun Portugal Events

Lagoa Swimrun

Swimrun Lagoa Portugal

Date: 13 and 14 May 2023

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 Swimrun Lagoa event, go to the Swimrun Portugal Series here.

Tâmega SWimrun

A swimrunner swimming through grey waters at the Tamega Swimrun Portugal

Date: 3 and 4 June 2023

Venue: Entre os rios, Northern Portugal

Distances: Sprint (16.4 km) and Standard (30.4 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

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 includes the “Swimrun Kids” format, where the youngest can experience swimrun, sharing with their older partner.

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 Swimrun Tamega event, go to the Swimrun Portugal Series here.

Swimrun Portugal events

Zêzere Swimrun

Zezere Swimrun

Date: 10 September 2023

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 Swimrun Zezere event, go to the Swimrun Portugal Series here.

Vale do Lobo Swimrun

Date: 1 October 2023

Venue: Vale do Lobo, Algarve

Distances: Sprint (14.6 km) and Standard (24.6 km)

Sprint:

TOTAL DISTANCE - 14.600 m
Swim - 1.800 m
Run - 12.800 m
TRANSITIONS - 3 Swim / 4 Run
Longest Swim - 800 m
Longest Run - 5.800 m
Total elevation gain - 220 D +
Timeout: 4 Hours

Standard:

TOTAL DISTANCE - 24.600 m
Swim - 4.300 m
Run - 20.300 m
TRANSITIONS - 5 Swim / 5 Run
Longest Swim - 1.000 m
Longest Run - 5.900 m
Total elevation gain - 322 D +
Timeout: 6 Hours

This is a very varied route where you will be able to experience a combination of trails and fantastic beaches of Falésia, Vale do Lobo and Ancão.

There will be some urban sections, such as the Vilamoura Marina and the Quarteira promenade, as well as the iconic golf courses and boardwalks of Vale do Lobo. All swim sections are in the sea off the Algarve.

Sprint distance map

Standard distance map

For more information on the Swimrun Vale do Lobo event, go to the Swimrun Portugal Series here.

Madeira Swimrun

Swimrun Madeira

Date: 15 October 2023

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.

MAPS COMING SOON!

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

We hope you enjoyed our guide to the Swimrun Portugal Events page. Please send us any comments you have, using the Contact Us link!