The 20th edition of the EDP Porto Marathon delivered a memorable day of endurance, celebration, and achievements for thousands of athletes, families, and running enthusiasts. Starting near Sea Life Porto and concluding with an energetic finish at the Queimódromo, the event gathered thousands and further established itself as one of Europe’s most iconic marathons.

The starting shot was fired by Olympic athlete Fernanda Ribeiro and Ricardo Moreira, representing Ágora, precisely at 8:00 AM. At the signal, 12,000 participants of all ages and nationalities began the race, driven by adrenaline, enthusiasm, and a spirit of determination that marked this 20th edition of the EDP Porto Marathon.

Variety of Races and Significant Participation

In this edition, athletes could choose from three races of different distances and purposes: the 42 km marathon, the competitive 10 km race in the APO Healthy Bones Run, and a lighter 6 km walk for families and groups looking to share the experience. With a strong elite presence in both the Marathon and the APO Healthy Bones Run, the event showcased high-level performances, underscored by the dedication and resilience of the participants.

APO Healthy Bones Run Results (10 km)

The APO Healthy Bones Run is a popular and competitive 10 km race where renowned athletes pushed their limits. The final results reflected the intensity of the race and the excellent form of the winners:

Men’s Classification:

Nuno Pereira (Sporting Clube de Portugal) finished the race in 31:01, claiming first place with a strong performance and refined technique. Ricardo Pereira (EV/Peraltafil) crossed the finish line at 31:20, securing second place in a competitive showdown. Rui Pedro Silva (CDS Salvador do Campo) completed the podium with a final time of 31:27, showcasing strength and consistency throughout the race.

Women’s Classification:

Rafaela Fonseca (RD Águeda) stood out with an impressive time of 35:51, taking gold with a significant lead. Dulce Félix (SL Benfica) followed with a solid performance, finishing in 36:44. Maria Carvalho (ADRAP) secured third place with a finish time of 37:28, in a close and competitive final.

The award ceremony for the APO Healthy Bones Run winners included the presence of Tiago Teixeira from the Runporto organization, health partners celebrating the athletes' success and dedication, Maria José Patrício from Mimosa, and Fernando Almeida from APO, along with César Navio representing Ágora.

Podium and Results of the 20th EDP Porto Marathon

The 20th edition of the EDP Porto Marathon brought a display of endurance, talent, and speed to the city’s streets. On the podium, both in the men’s and women’s categories, African athletes stood out with impressive performances.

In the men’s podium, Ugandan runner Abel Chelangat claimed first place with an extraordinary time of 2:10:01, dominating the race from start to finish and leaving his mark as the marathon winner. Following closely, Gideon Kiprop Rotich from Kenya took second place with a time of 2:11:01, followed by Patrick Ketter Kiplagat, also from Kenya, who finished in 2:11:07. The men’s podium celebrated the excellence of African athletes who dominated the race, showcasing their supremacy in international marathons.

In the women’s category, Kenyan Naom Jebet shone, crossing the finish line with a time of 2:30:00, standing out as the absolute winner. In second place, her compatriot Peniah Jerop finished with a time of 2:40:08. In third place, Swedish athlete Malin Starfelt completed the women’s podium with a time of 2:42:00, standing out as the best European representative in the competition.

Nuno Lopes and Laura Grilo Were the First Portuguese to Cross the Finish Line

Among the Portuguese athletes, Nuno Lopes, from Grupo Desportivo 3 Santos Populares (GD3SP), stood out as the first Portuguese to cross the finish line with a time of 2h20m29s. This result earned him the title of 2024 Portuguese Marathon Champion. In the women’s category, Laura Grilo, from Clube Praças da Armada (CPARM), was the first Portuguese woman, finishing with a time of 2h54m08s and also claiming the national marathon champion title.

The event began with a special award ceremony in which the organization presented tokens of appreciation to the Municipalities of Porto, Matosinhos, and Vila Nova de Gaia, acknowledging their essential support for the marathon's success. The main sponsor, EDP, was also honored for its contribution to promoting sports and sustainability, values that have guided the marathon over the past two decades.

The award ceremony was attended by several notable figures, including César Navio representing Ágora, Nuno Matos, councilor of the Matosinhos City Council, Mário Duarte representing the Vila Nova de Gaia City Council, Joana Teixeira da Cunha from EDP, and Paulo Santos, vice president of IPDJ (Portuguese Institute of Sport and Youth).

In addition to trophies, the awarded athletes received a basket of organic products from Lidl, the event’s food sponsor, reinforcing the marathon’s commitment to participants’ health and well-being.

Event Reinforces Commitment to Community and Health

The 20th EDP Porto Marathon was an absolute success, celebrating not only the impressive results of the athletes but also the spirit of cooperation among the cities involved and the support of the sponsors. This event further solidifies the marathon as one of the most important competitions in the national and international sports calendar, attracting more elite athletes and sports lovers from around the world.

The Porto Marathon was a milestone, not only for the competition but also for promoting health and well-being, fostering an environment of inclusivity and accessibility in sports. The presence of participants of all ages and families in the three offered events highlighted the organizers’ and partners' commitment to creating a space for healthy, active living, consolidating the Porto Marathon as a reference event in the European sports scene.