The first edition of the Algarve Marathon 2026 has Carlos Lopes as its patron and Aurora Cunha as its matron, two of the greatest names in the history of Portuguese athletics. The race takes place on 6 December, starting and finishing at Marina de Vilamoura.
Carlos Lopes, Olympic marathon champion
Carlos Lopes, born in 1947, won the Olympic marathon in Los Angeles 1984 at the age of 37, in 2:09:21, a time that stood as the Olympic record for 24 years. The following year, in 1985, he set the marathon world record in Rotterdam with 2:07:12. Earlier, he had taken silver in the 10,000 metres at the Montreal 1976 Games and was three times world cross country champion, in 1976, 1984 and 1985.
Aurora Cunha, three-time world road champion
Aurora Cunha was world road running champion for three consecutive years, in 1984, 1985 and 1986. Over her career she won landmark marathons including Paris, Tokyo, Chicago and Rotterdam, and represented Portugal at three Olympic Games, with a best result of sixth in the 3,000 metres at Los Angeles 1984. She is one of the most complete athletes in the history of Portuguese athletics, from middle distance to the marathon.
What the patrons bring to the Algarve Marathon
The patronage of Carlos Lopes and Aurora Cunha ties the first edition of the race to the finest tradition of Portuguese athletics. For runners, it is a sign that the Algarve Marathon is born with sporting ambition and respect for the history of the sport. You can read more about them on the dedicated page.
Be part of the first edition, on the same stage backed by two champions.
Register