EDP Lisbon Half Marathon

Fueling strategy for 90 minutes of racing

For a half marathon from 1h15 to 2h, target 60 to 90 g/h, usually 1 to 2 gels in race. For a sub-1h30 PR push, take 1 gel at 35 to 40 minutes with Powerade. Sodium 300 to 500 mg/h (cool March weather). Caffeine 1 to 2 mg/kg around 30 minutes before, or via a gel at 30 to 40 minutes.

Late 10:00 start gives time for a full breakfast at 07:00: oats, banana, coffee (1.5 to 2 g/kg of carbs). Carb loading lighter than for a marathon: 6 to 8 g/kg/day for 24 to 36 hours. Take a pre-start gel at T-15 minutes with 200 ml of water. The net downhill over the first 3 km lets you run faster splits without paying a cardiac cost, but beware of over-pacing early.

Course: from the 25 de Abril Bridge to the Jerónimos Monastery

The epic start on the central deck of the 25 de Abril Bridge at sunrise defines this race. After the gun, you head down the bridge with views over Cristo Rei and the Tagus (around 70 m of net downhill across the first 2 km). The route follows Avenida da Índia towards Algés for the turnaround, then returns along the Belém waterfront to the finish at the Jerónimos Monastery. Landmarks: Cristo Rei (start), Torre de Belém (km 18), Padrão dos Descobrimentos (km 19), Mosteiro dos Jerónimos (finish).

World records and the elite field

The race draws a global elite and holds its status as "the world's fastest half marathon". Jacob Kiplimo ran 57:20 here in March 2025, a new men's half marathon world record. Agnes Ngetich ran 1:03:04 in 2024, the second-fastest women's half ever. The race is part of the SuperHalfs circuit alongside Cardiff, Copenhagen, Berlin, Prague and Valencia.

Logistics: the Fertagus train is your only option

The only way to reach the start on the 25 de Abril Bridge is the Fertagus train to Pragal, followed by a walk up along the bridge's outer edges to the central deck. Free travel with bib. There is no car access. There is no official bag drop. Spectators cannot access the bridge.

Packet pickup is at the Sport Expo inside the Lisbon Congress Centre (Junqueira), across the 3 days before the race (Thursday to Saturday, 10:00 to 20:00). With no bag drop, race light: a small hydration belt, gel in pocket, phone in plastic bag if rain likely. The finish at Jerónimos is fully public and well served by the 15E tram and buses.

March weather in Lisbon and wind on the bridge

March in Lisbon typically offers ideal PR conditions: 10 to 13C at the start, 14 to 18C at finish, humidity around 70%, NW wind 8 to 12 km/h. Rain probability moderate (around 9 rainy days in the month). The decisive factor is wind on the bridge, which can hit 10 to 25 km/h and make the first 2 to 3 km harder than expected.

Does the 25 de Abril Bridge really vibrate? Other practical doubts

Yes, the bridge vibrates slightly under the pounding of thousands of runners. The sensation feels strange at first but settles within 1 to 2 minutes. There is no structural risk. You cannot wear a backpack for airspace security reasons: a small hydration belt is allowed. If you have never run on a vibrating bridge, train on a pedestrian footbridge first.