Race Rules.
Read the official participation rules for the Half Marathon, 10 km Race and 4 km Mini Race/Walk before registering.
15 November 2026 · Faro & Olhão
Everything you need to know before race day.
This page is an English translation of the official Portuguese regulations. The original Portuguese document remains the authoritative version.
1 Organisation +
The Ria Formosa Half Marathon is organised by Xistarca, Promoções e Publicações Desportivas, Lda, with the support of Faro City Council, Olhão City Council, the Algarve Athletics Association and Algarve Tourism.
2 Date / Time +
The event will take place on 15 November 2026 at 09:30.
3 Course / Distance / Schedule +
Half Marathon - 21 km · Start 09:30
Start at Largo de São Francisco in Faro / Avenida Eng. Joaquim L. Belchior / Avenida Aníbal C. Guerreiro / Estrada do Moinho da Palmeira / M 522 / Caminho de Tavira / right onto Caminho Vale de Sobreira / EN 125 roundabout toward Avenida 5 de Outubro / turnaround before Mercado de Olhão / EN 125 roundabout toward Caminho Vale de Sobreira / left onto Caminho de Tavira / M 522 / right onto M 518 / turnaround at the roundabout toward the finish at the Faro Athletics Track.
10 km Race · Start 09:30
Start on Avenida 5 de Outubro, near Mercado de Olhão / EN 125 roundabout toward Caminho Vale de Sobreira / left onto Caminho de Tavira / M 522 / right onto M 518 / turnaround at the roundabout toward the finish at the Faro Athletics Track.
4 km Mini Race / Walk · Start 09:35
Start at Largo de São Francisco in Faro / Avenida Eng. Joaquim L. Belchior / Avenida Aníbal C. Guerreiro / Estrada do Moinho da Palmeira / M 522 / left onto M 518 / turnaround at the roundabout toward the finish at the Faro Athletics Track.
4 Refreshment Stations +
- The 21 km event will have liquid refreshments at three intermediate points and liquid/solid refreshments at the finish.
- The 10 km event will have liquid refreshments at one intermediate point and liquid/solid refreshments at the finish.
- The 4 km event will have liquid/solid refreshments at the finish.
5 Time Limit +
The maximum duration of the event is 2 hours and 45 minutes. After this period, normal vehicle circulation will be restored along the entire course.
6 Registration +
6.1 - Fees and deadlines
| Registration period | Half Marathon 21 km | 10 km Race | 4 km Walk |
|---|---|---|---|
| Until 30 September | €12.00 | €8.00 | €6.00 |
| Until 31 October | €15.00 | €10.00 | €8.00 |
| Until 9 November | €20.00 | €12.00 | €10.00 |
| Until 11 November | €25.00 | €15.00 | €12.00 |
| Last-minute entry | €30.00 | €20.00 | €15.00 |
6.2 - Registration channels
Registration may be completed through www.xistarca.pt, www.meiamaratonariaformosa.pt, or in person at Xistarca, Calçada da Tapada, 71 A.
Last-minute registrations may be accepted during bib-collection days and times, subject to remaining availability.
7 Participant Kit +
7.1 - Contents
- 21 km: bag, unisex technical T-shirt, bib, chip and possible sponsor gifts.
- 10 km: bag, unisex technical T-shirt, bib, chip and possible sponsor gifts.
- 4 km: bag, unisex technical T-shirt, bib and possible sponsor gifts.
Available T-shirt sizes are S, M, L, XL and XXL. Sizes will be allocated according to the choice made during registration, without a stock guarantee at collection. If a size is unavailable, the organisation will offer an alternative size.
7.2 - Kit collection
The collection arrangements are stated in the official regulations as “to be defined”.
To collect the kit, participants must present their bib number and proof of registration received by email after payment confirmation, together with identification.
Kits may only be collected on the previously specified days and times. Uncollected kits will be donated to a charitable institution.
8 Bib and Chip +
Use of the official event bib and chip is mandatory for participants. The bib must be worn visibly on the front of the T-shirt, with no clothing or accessories covering it.
9 Awards +
The first three finishers in the Overall and Age Category classifications, female and male, in the 10 km and 21 km events will be invited to the podium and receive the corresponding trophy.
All athletes who cross the finish line will receive a medal and may download their participation certificate from the Xistarca website through the Results menu.
10 Participation Conditions +
Participation is open to all interested persons, regardless of nationality or sex, aged over 18 for the 21 km and 10 km events, provided they are properly registered.
For participant safety, accompaniment by bicycles, skateboards, roller skates or animals is not permitted.
11 Age Categories +
12 Unsporting Conduct +
The following behaviour may lead to disqualification:
- Falsifying any registration information.
- Failing to appear at the start with the event bib and chip correctly fitted.
- Showing an unsuitable physical condition.
- Failing to wear the bib visibly on the front of the T-shirt.
- Using another athlete's bib.
- Folding or altering the advertising on the bib.
- Using the supplied chip incorrectly.
- Using more than one chip.
- Using another athlete's chip.
- Failing to follow event signs and/or jumping barriers to access the start.
- Failing to complete the entire course.
- Failing to comply with instructions from the organisation.
- Unsporting behaviour, including pushing or deliberately obstructing other athletes.
- Failing to respect other athletes.
Xistarca will not accept entries from athletes who engage in unsporting practices.
13 Security Forces and Medical Support +
Planning and control of vehicle traffic is the responsibility of the PSP, as is the safety of all participants.
Medical assistance will be provided during the event to athletes who suffer an injury or whom the organisation considers a possible injury case. The medical team may remove athletes who are not fit to complete the full course.
14 Insurance +
The organisation provides registered participants with personal accident insurance, in accordance with Decree-Law 10/2009 on compulsory sports insurance. The insurance will only be activated for participants injured during the event who request its activation from the organisation.
All participants must have the health, physical and psychological conditions required for sporting activity and release the organisation from liability.
15 Image Rights +
By registering, the participant grants the event organisation and its associates, free of charge and unconditionally, the right to use images of the participant captured during the event.
16 Personal Data Protection +
Personal data will be processed automatically by the event organisation, as the data controller, in accordance with the European Union General Data Protection Regulation and solely for the services necessary to participate in the event.
Processing for event communications is optional and subject to specific, express consent in the registration form, in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2016/679.
Participants are guaranteed access to their data and may request its update, correction or deletion in writing. Data collected for this event will be stored for two years and may be consulted, corrected or deleted free of charge by email: geral@xistarca.pt.
17 Changes to Participant Data +
Participant details may be changed until 5 November by contacting the organisation directly at geral@xistarca.pt.
Changes requested during bib-collection days are subject to a fee of €5.
No changes will be accepted on race day.
18 Doping History +
The organisation reserves the right to cancel the registration of any athlete who has previously been associated with the use of substances prohibited in sport.
19 Athlete Support +
The organisation provides the following support channels:
These contacts are available on working days from 09:30 to 13:00 and from 14:00 to 18:30. Email responses may take up to 48 hours.