Lisbon Half Marathon

“That really was a great experience and the atmosphere was super.”

The runner had to dodge the rain while getting ready, and the train and start area were crowded, but running across the 25 de Abril Bridge and the atmosphere out there stood out. The finish area was crowded and a bit disorganized, but they enjoyed the flat, partly downhill course and the trip to Lisbon itself.

“Logistics at Lisbon half can be challenging.”

The runner noted that the traffic around the start and entering the wave were confusing. They started struggling after 12 km while running despite feeling unwell and lowered their goal, but at 19 km they saw the possibility of a personal best and picked up the pace again, finishing in 1:36:15.

“I completed it in 2 hours, 6 minutes, which I was happy with, considering my lack of training in the winter due to illness.”

Helen Mason took part in the 2025 Lisbon half marathon and started near the back because of the trains at the start and the route to the starting area. She overtook slower runners while maintaining pace and said she was satisfied to finish in 2 hours 6 minutes despite limited training due to illness during the winter.

“Everyone completed the race, and Mark finished in 2:02 with no injuries or issues, which made for a fantastic day.”

After not taking part in a race of this distance for more than 40 years, Mark took on the Lisbon half marathon with his friends. They crossed the bridge in the rain to reach the start, but the weather cleared after the race began, and he finished in 2 hours 2 minutes without injury or problems.

“Although the weather was reporting temperatures in the low-to-mid sixties when I finished, it felt hotter in the sun.”

There were no separate starting groups, which made the start congested, and the flat out-and-back section was monotonous. The runner noticed a lack of shade later on, but rated the overall experience positively.

“There is no better way to see a place than running or walking through it.”

The runner chose Lisbon for a 25th wedding anniversary trip, looking forward to starting with a run across the 25 de Abril Bridge. On race day, the train ride and the wait at the start dragged on, but the views from the bridge, the riverside course, and the monastery at the finish stayed with them. They found the hotter weather after the late start and the out-and-back section in the second half tough.