Marathon Details - Lisbon International Marathon

International Marathons > Portugal > Lisbon > Lisbon International Marathon

Lisbon International Marathon & Half Marathon, 8K

Lisbon, Portugal

December 9, 2012

http://www.lisbon-marathon.com

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Name:	(Antonio Campos)
Address:
Phone Number:	+ 33 681 64 53 82
Fax Number:	+ 48 12 282 58 73
Email:	Email the organizers



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Reviews

Course 2.4

Organization 2.1

Spectators 1.6

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Number of comments: 17 [displaying comments 1 to 11]

More Comments: [ < 1 2 > ]

Michael Somerville from Denmark (12/19/2012) "a very enjoyable run nice weather and good service" (about: 2012) 50+ previous marathons \| 1 Lisbon International Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 2 It was a good marathon, enjoyed running through the city and along the coast. Not so many people out to cheer !! But i=I will run it again for sure. The last 5 km are special on the hill. But service was good, nice weather. So all in all i am very satisfied. Thank you.
Eugene Nyunt from London, England (2/2/2012) "A strange experience." (about: 2011) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Lisbon International Marathon COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 2 Firstly I enjoyed the course around Lisbon but although I usually wouldn't be too bothered by the seeming absence of spectators, there seemed to be a hush around most of the course - giving me a weird tingly feeling. The course was undulating but I certainly wasn't expecting the incessant climbing up to the finish, even with the reasonable provision of fuel and water. I'm not one to spend a lot at expos but Lisbon's one was tiny - I initially thought I had got my watch time all wrong when I arrived to a virtually empty section of hall. Overall I'm okay with this race's organization since the entry fee wasn't excessive. That said, I doubt I'll want to run this particular event again.
Mark La Frenais from London (12/6/2011) "A Good Marathon - but could be much better." (about: 2011) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Lisbon International Marathon COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 2 Lisbon is an interesting place, It's not quite as beautiful as I thought it would be for a major European capital city. Don't get me wrong there are some stunning parts, but also a lot of run down areas too. I wasn't really sure what to expect from this marathon, I knew there was a hill at the end and boy it was a killer, so not a course for a PB! The marathon expo was very small about 10 stands. The race was well organised (mostly), my biggest complaint was that at about 13 miles into the race you hit a very large pack of straggling half marathon runners sharing the latter half of the course, it was quite difficult working though this pack as it was a long narrow part of the course. The weather was good for running 12-14 degrees for the most part on the day. Overall an OK race, nice atmosphere and very Good Medal.
F. O. from Ireland ,West (12/8/2009) "Improved route worth considering" (about: 2009) 3 previous marathons \| 1 Lisbon International Marathon COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 2 Here we go. Lisbon Marathon 2009 review. Easy city to get to and easy access to the expo. This is tiny, so don't plan on picking up any gear that you might need for the run. Race number and chip pick up and chip testing were there, and there was one table that sold fleecy hats and scarves with the Lisbon logo on them. A table for long compression socks and someone doing neck massage on a kneeling chair. T-shirt was a technical-quality one, but it's large-fitting, so if you are a small woman, make sure you opt for the smaller size if in doubt. Bag drop-off on the day is easy; toilets aren't too numerous, but with such a small crowd, this wasn't a problem . The queue never seemed to be more than 4 people at any time. Easy access via metro on the day. It is free to all runners too, which is great. Run starts on the track, which got a bit messy as the faster starters lapped the ones down the end of the field so that where I was ( hoping for 4:10-4:20), we had to wait until they had cleared, which meant that I didn't get to even start running until the end of the second track lap and the clock was already at 4 minutes and counting. I'm sure they will sort this out for next time. It did cost me a PB though. Course runs through the city and is quite undulating. Outer circuits aren't too exciting, though you get a good look at what it's like, but it gets pretty as you go through the center towards the coast. Then along the coast for a few miles and then double back again. Would be fab on a nicer, clearer or sunny day. It was 15/16 degrees C and overcast, and we had very strong headwinds. A good, long, flat stretch - knowing that the finish is in the stadium and knowing that it is a long way uphill. The killer comes at about 23 miles. It is pretty much uphill to the finish. The final run is in the stadium - about half a lap. right beside the gear drop, etc. Plenty of water and sweet drinks all in bottles. Also, orange segments, apples and bananas and cereal bars at about 24 miles! Goody bag was a mixture of whatever was handed to those at the finish line. I saw a guy with a bag with oranges in it. I got a bag with four cereal bars and nothing else. Medal is fairly basic too. Generally the public didn't seem to have much interest. There was some good support in places but a distinct "couldn't care less" from others. I passed lots of people waiting for buses and trams and they didn't even bother to turn around and even look at the runners, let alone cheer them on. Also, approaching the stadium at the end: lots of other already-finished runners were leaving, and they didn't even support those of us in the final throes of our effort. In my previous 3 marathons, there was a great deal of encouragement in the final stages from general public and runners alike. City was cheap- fab hostel cost 15 euros a night, including breakfast. Clean, friendly, cozy, very secure, and right off the central plaza. Meals out were 10-15 euros depending on how much beer or wine you had. Christmas lights and mild weather made it gorgeous at this time of year. All in all, a good experience, but would like to go back now that I know what the course is like and prepare better knowing that what lies ahead and not burning out too quickly. Previous race reports would have you believe that it is not worth traveling for this. I wouldn't agree. There aren't many this time of year, and it is still worth the trip. It is kind of a marathon for regular runners who enjoy a change of scenery rather than a first-time-out event because it lacks sparkle, enthusiasm and excitement.
T. H. from France (12/7/2009) "I'm glad this wasn't my 1st racing experience" (about: 2009) First Marathon COURSE: 1 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 1 I ran the 1/2; I enjoyed this race because of the attitude I brought to it, but I wouldn't recommend it to any first-time runner who is not Portuguese. Important information was not communicated: elevation of the course (last 5K are uphill), where to leave bags (so we had to ask a shopkeeper to look after our belongings), timing and distance measures were unclear or nonexistent; the goody bag only had a boring t-shirt in it; and the course had no spectators for the first 10K. There was only water and an energy drink at the end - not even a banana. It was expected to rain; it's December and very windy, and when my friend asked for a cup of tea, she was scolded since it was only for marathoners.
M. M. from Waashington, DC, USA (12/6/2009) "Lisbon, Great! Marathon, Awful!" (about: 2009) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Lisbon International Marathon COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 1 I ran the half-marathon with the wife. The expo was hard to find and deplorable (maybe five vendors). The course was ok, but finding the start was amazingly bad. No signs, loudspeakers, time corrals - nothing. Only a shotgun start with no chip timing at the start. Five toilets at the start, but three were locked until runners broke them open. I would NOT recommend this race, but for the fact that Lisbon is delightful.
N. R. from Portland, Oregon, USA (5/20/2009) "So much potential...!" (about: 2008) 4-5 previous marathons \| 1 Lisbon International Marathon COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 2 Like the other comments, I also started late due to lack of toilets, and the absence of of chip timing at the start was disappointing. The course was simple, albeit a little dull, and you could see the Tejo River about 75% of the time. Beverages were full-size water bottles - a landfill nightmare, and you should bring your own nourishment. BUT with the course layout, I saw my girlfriend 4 times as she waited in the center of the 4 loops. Worth doing once to add Portugal to your marathon map, but don't expect luxury.
K. T. from Germany (12/25/2008) "disappointing" (about: 2008) 50+ previous marathons \| 1 Lisbon International Marathon COURSE: 2 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 1 I could not even find the registration site, even after asking the Info Center on the same block as the registration. I missed the start as I was waiting in line to use a restroom (only six were present at start) and did not even get a sports drink until after the 21K mark. There were sparse fluids and no crowds. It was my 50th marathon and by far the worst; however, the city is lovely and full of life, which made up for a bad marathon. I also had low expectations after reading other reviews, but I did not expect it to be as bad as it was.
Noel Magno from Amsterdam, Netherlands (12/11/2008) "Run AWAY from this marathon" (about: 2008) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Lisbon International Marathon COURSE: 1 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 1 There were already bad omens for the marathon when we were unable initially to find the marathon expo, and we asked at a police station if they knew of the marathon or the location of the marathon expo (which we told them was located on Rua do Arsenal). They didn't even know a marathon was was occurring that weekend or where the street was located, which I eventually realized was the same street that the police station was on! After some time, we found the sign for the expo, and were just able to make out "Lisbon Marathon" on the printed paper sign where the ink had almost been washed away by the rain. The expo itself was quite appalling. Apart from the stands to pick up the race numbers, there were two shops and a massage table. That's it. This marathon was classed as the seaside marathon, but I somehow doubt running parallel (not along) the river counts. Instead the route is on a major road that follows the train tracks, going through docks and other places devoid of people. At most times, we couldn't even see the river/sea. Runners basically run 10K in a straight line on this road, run around a car that marks the turning point and then run back on the other side of the road for 16K until they get to the end of the road, and go back and forth a few times, until eventually they've run 42K. This is only interrupted by a brief 1K run through a bit of the city. This unimaginative run is only superseded by the scattering of people who happen to be around at the time and the entertainment, which came from the speakers at the finish line and the car stereo at one end of the course. With only 8 mobile toilets at the start meant that some people missed the start of the marathon, myself included. That would have been ok, if there actually were chip sensors at the start, which would allow for net and brutto times, but there wasn't. This resulted in getting 2 minutes added to the running time. I also, counted 2 mobile toilets during the actual run, and that was it! The Lisbon Marathon deserves a better turnout than 1,000 marathon runners. Unfortunately, the marathon ranks as the worst I have ever run.
N. B. from Lisbon Portugal (12/3/2007) "Not so good" (about: 2007) 4-5 previous marathons \| 1 Lisbon International Marathon COURSE: 1 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 1 There are plenty of places to run a marathon in and around Lisbon - In the city is not one of them. Terrible potholes and too much cobblestone running up to Praca do Chile. There were very few spectators and those few sometimes got in the way. I ran over a little old lady - sorry! A night club near Belem was still open at 11:30 p.m. with inebriated youth in the street yelling obscenities at female runners. The first water station was not ready at all and a few other stations were not paying attention. For the most part, the water stations were run by kids. It would have been a nicer run if the course traversed from Lisbon to Cascais and back. The view is spectacular down the Marginal.

More Comments: [ < 1 2 > ]

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Michael Somerville from Denmark (12/19/2012) "a very enjoyable run nice weather and good service" (about: 2012) 50+ previous marathons \| 1 Lisbon International Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 2 It was a good marathon, enjoyed running through the city and along the coast. Not so many people out to cheer !! But i=I will run it again for sure. The last 5 km are special on the hill. But service was good, nice weather. So all in all i am very satisfied. Thank you.
Eugene Nyunt from London, England (2/2/2012) "A strange experience." (about: 2011) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Lisbon International Marathon COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 2 Firstly I enjoyed the course around Lisbon but although I usually wouldn't be too bothered by the seeming absence of spectators, there seemed to be a hush around most of the course - giving me a weird tingly feeling. The course was undulating but I certainly wasn't expecting the incessant climbing up to the finish, even with the reasonable provision of fuel and water. I'm not one to spend a lot at expos but Lisbon's one was tiny - I initially thought I had got my watch time all wrong when I arrived to a virtually empty section of hall. Overall I'm okay with this race's organization since the entry fee wasn't excessive. That said, I doubt I'll want to run this particular event again.
Mark La Frenais from London (12/6/2011) "A Good Marathon - but could be much better." (about: 2011) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Lisbon International Marathon COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 2 Lisbon is an interesting place, It's not quite as beautiful as I thought it would be for a major European capital city. Don't get me wrong there are some stunning parts, but also a lot of run down areas too. I wasn't really sure what to expect from this marathon, I knew there was a hill at the end and boy it was a killer, so not a course for a PB! The marathon expo was very small about 10 stands. The race was well organised (mostly), my biggest complaint was that at about 13 miles into the race you hit a very large pack of straggling half marathon runners sharing the latter half of the course, it was quite difficult working though this pack as it was a long narrow part of the course. The weather was good for running 12-14 degrees for the most part on the day. Overall an OK race, nice atmosphere and very Good Medal.
F. O. from Ireland ,West (12/8/2009) "Improved route worth considering" (about: 2009) 3 previous marathons \| 1 Lisbon International Marathon COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 2 Here we go. Lisbon Marathon 2009 review. Easy city to get to and easy access to the expo. This is tiny, so don't plan on picking up any gear that you might need for the run. Race number and chip pick up and chip testing were there, and there was one table that sold fleecy hats and scarves with the Lisbon logo on them. A table for long compression socks and someone doing neck massage on a kneeling chair. T-shirt was a technical-quality one, but it's large-fitting, so if you are a small woman, make sure you opt for the smaller size if in doubt. Bag drop-off on the day is easy; toilets aren't too numerous, but with such a small crowd, this wasn't a problem . The queue never seemed to be more than 4 people at any time. Easy access via metro on the day. It is free to all runners too, which is great. Run starts on the track, which got a bit messy as the faster starters lapped the ones down the end of the field so that where I was ( hoping for 4:10-4:20), we had to wait until they had cleared, which meant that I didn't get to even start running until the end of the second track lap and the clock was already at 4 minutes and counting. I'm sure they will sort this out for next time. It did cost me a PB though. Course runs through the city and is quite undulating. Outer circuits aren't too exciting, though you get a good look at what it's like, but it gets pretty as you go through the center towards the coast. Then along the coast for a few miles and then double back again. Would be fab on a nicer, clearer or sunny day. It was 15/16 degrees C and overcast, and we had very strong headwinds. A good, long, flat stretch - knowing that the finish is in the stadium and knowing that it is a long way uphill. The killer comes at about 23 miles. It is pretty much uphill to the finish. The final run is in the stadium - about half a lap. right beside the gear drop, etc. Plenty of water and sweet drinks all in bottles. Also, orange segments, apples and bananas and cereal bars at about 24 miles! Goody bag was a mixture of whatever was handed to those at the finish line. I saw a guy with a bag with oranges in it. I got a bag with four cereal bars and nothing else. Medal is fairly basic too. Generally the public didn't seem to have much interest. There was some good support in places but a distinct "couldn't care less" from others. I passed lots of people waiting for buses and trams and they didn't even bother to turn around and even look at the runners, let alone cheer them on. Also, approaching the stadium at the end: lots of other already-finished runners were leaving, and they didn't even support those of us in the final throes of our effort. In my previous 3 marathons, there was a great deal of encouragement in the final stages from general public and runners alike. City was cheap- fab hostel cost 15 euros a night, including breakfast. Clean, friendly, cozy, very secure, and right off the central plaza. Meals out were 10-15 euros depending on how much beer or wine you had. Christmas lights and mild weather made it gorgeous at this time of year. All in all, a good experience, but would like to go back now that I know what the course is like and prepare better knowing that what lies ahead and not burning out too quickly. Previous race reports would have you believe that it is not worth traveling for this. I wouldn't agree. There aren't many this time of year, and it is still worth the trip. It is kind of a marathon for regular runners who enjoy a change of scenery rather than a first-time-out event because it lacks sparkle, enthusiasm and excitement.
T. H. from France (12/7/2009) "I'm glad this wasn't my 1st racing experience" (about: 2009) First Marathon COURSE: 1 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 1 I ran the 1/2; I enjoyed this race because of the attitude I brought to it, but I wouldn't recommend it to any first-time runner who is not Portuguese. Important information was not communicated: elevation of the course (last 5K are uphill), where to leave bags (so we had to ask a shopkeeper to look after our belongings), timing and distance measures were unclear or nonexistent; the goody bag only had a boring t-shirt in it; and the course had no spectators for the first 10K. There was only water and an energy drink at the end - not even a banana. It was expected to rain; it's December and very windy, and when my friend asked for a cup of tea, she was scolded since it was only for marathoners.
M. M. from Waashington, DC, USA (12/6/2009) "Lisbon, Great! Marathon, Awful!" (about: 2009) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Lisbon International Marathon COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 1 I ran the half-marathon with the wife. The expo was hard to find and deplorable (maybe five vendors). The course was ok, but finding the start was amazingly bad. No signs, loudspeakers, time corrals - nothing. Only a shotgun start with no chip timing at the start. Five toilets at the start, but three were locked until runners broke them open. I would NOT recommend this race, but for the fact that Lisbon is delightful.
N. R. from Portland, Oregon, USA (5/20/2009) "So much potential...!" (about: 2008) 4-5 previous marathons \| 1 Lisbon International Marathon COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 2 Like the other comments, I also started late due to lack of toilets, and the absence of of chip timing at the start was disappointing. The course was simple, albeit a little dull, and you could see the Tejo River about 75% of the time. Beverages were full-size water bottles - a landfill nightmare, and you should bring your own nourishment. BUT with the course layout, I saw my girlfriend 4 times as she waited in the center of the 4 loops. Worth doing once to add Portugal to your marathon map, but don't expect luxury.
K. T. from Germany (12/25/2008) "disappointing" (about: 2008) 50+ previous marathons \| 1 Lisbon International Marathon COURSE: 2 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 1 I could not even find the registration site, even after asking the Info Center on the same block as the registration. I missed the start as I was waiting in line to use a restroom (only six were present at start) and did not even get a sports drink until after the 21K mark. There were sparse fluids and no crowds. It was my 50th marathon and by far the worst; however, the city is lovely and full of life, which made up for a bad marathon. I also had low expectations after reading other reviews, but I did not expect it to be as bad as it was.
Noel Magno from Amsterdam, Netherlands (12/11/2008) "Run AWAY from this marathon" (about: 2008) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Lisbon International Marathon COURSE: 1 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 1 There were already bad omens for the marathon when we were unable initially to find the marathon expo, and we asked at a police station if they knew of the marathon or the location of the marathon expo (which we told them was located on Rua do Arsenal). They didn't even know a marathon was was occurring that weekend or where the street was located, which I eventually realized was the same street that the police station was on! After some time, we found the sign for the expo, and were just able to make out "Lisbon Marathon" on the printed paper sign where the ink had almost been washed away by the rain. The expo itself was quite appalling. Apart from the stands to pick up the race numbers, there were two shops and a massage table. That's it. This marathon was classed as the seaside marathon, but I somehow doubt running parallel (not along) the river counts. Instead the route is on a major road that follows the train tracks, going through docks and other places devoid of people. At most times, we couldn't even see the river/sea. Runners basically run 10K in a straight line on this road, run around a car that marks the turning point and then run back on the other side of the road for 16K until they get to the end of the road, and go back and forth a few times, until eventually they've run 42K. This is only interrupted by a brief 1K run through a bit of the city. This unimaginative run is only superseded by the scattering of people who happen to be around at the time and the entertainment, which came from the speakers at the finish line and the car stereo at one end of the course. With only 8 mobile toilets at the start meant that some people missed the start of the marathon, myself included. That would have been ok, if there actually were chip sensors at the start, which would allow for net and brutto times, but there wasn't. This resulted in getting 2 minutes added to the running time. I also, counted 2 mobile toilets during the actual run, and that was it! The Lisbon Marathon deserves a better turnout than 1,000 marathon runners. Unfortunately, the marathon ranks as the worst I have ever run.
N. B. from Lisbon Portugal (12/3/2007) "Not so good" (about: 2007) 4-5 previous marathons \| 1 Lisbon International Marathon COURSE: 1 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 1 There are plenty of places to run a marathon in and around Lisbon - In the city is not one of them. Terrible potholes and too much cobblestone running up to Praca do Chile. There were very few spectators and those few sometimes got in the way. I ran over a little old lady - sorry! A night club near Belem was still open at 11:30 p.m. with inebriated youth in the street yelling obscenities at female runners. The first water station was not ready at all and a few other stations were not paying attention. For the most part, the water stations were run by kids. It would have been a nicer run if the course traversed from Lisbon to Cascais and back. The view is spectacular down the Marginal.

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Marathon Details - Lisbon International Marathon