
CORRIDA ENDURANCE 281KM
16 to 20 JULY 2025
Beira Baixa – Portugal

CORRIDA ENDURANCE 281KM
17 to 21 JULY 2024
low edge
Portugal
“If you ever want to talk to God, this is the race…”
Victor Rodrigues.
It's a race where temperatures rise to beyond the 40th. The heat is suffocating and many of the participants classify it as the hardest they have ever done.
These are mandatory conditions for being happy, and being one of the finalists in this race, to have a real capacity for autonomy, to be self-sufficient and to know how to navigate the entire route using GPS equipment.
With PT281 Ultramarathon we crossed an entire region in the interior of Portugal: the low edge. A region with a moderate climate for most of the year, but in July, especially, it is characterized by intense and torrid heat.
281 km
66 hours
6500 D +
GPS
Self sufficiency
Belmonte > Proença-a-Nova
Gallery
Map and Altimetry
What the athletes say…
A PT281 It’s “that proof”. The spirit of ultramarathonism is somewhat the essence of this race. Self-sufficiency beyond food and drink is above all the ability to be alone, completely isolated from the world. We spent hours isolated, in a depopulated Beira Baixa, somewhere between Spain and the other Portugal, and in which we found everything that is possible to find in ultramarathon running.
And then, in the middle of this whole trip, life examples appear that we pick up and read, copying what we can, which are some veterans of the race, and especially the veterans of conquest, those who conquered themselves with ultramarathon running. And it's funny that these people come to PT281 as if they were coming for a spiritual retreat, trying to understand if they still have the capacity to be so alone, so dependent on themselves, but at the same time knowing that, when they least expect it, they will find a helping hand. This is what continues to bring me and many of those here here.
Each year is different, from the 1st edition to this, the 8th edition. The test is slightly different, but also the sensations we bring and the people with whom we share the experience are going through different things! Being with these people and sharing this adventure with them makes us grow together. I know we all leave here different people. On Sunday we are no longer the same people we were on Thursday, when we left. I love this in PT281, it's what keeps me coming back.
I came here to challenge myself, not to compete. I wanted to do something different than usual, like facing extreme heat, for example. I like to challenge myself to face the worst possible conditions, it's what motivates me. The harder it is, the better it is for me.
The most complicated moments were on the second and third nights, because I can't manage sleep deprivation well and they were very long nights. I ended up sleeping somewhere, I had hallucinations, I saw a lot of things, a lot of people, giants, monsters. A kind of dream where I saw myself saying hello to people and things that didn't exist, it was crazy!
It exceeded all my expectations!
(Nuno) Our limits are in our heads and we came here to prove that it is possible to break them. (Serginho) Nothing is easy, in life nothing is easy, people are the ones who impose certain limits on themselves. A PT281 it just proves that people, with or without physical limitations, can overcome these challenges. What a wonderful opportunity that Paulo and Sandra gave us to make a difference!
It's difficult for me to talk about PT. Some may want to come and race against someone, but for me that's not the approach. The challenge is with me! After having made so many edits, the goal is always to try to find the best of myself in the test.
There are so many hours, so much time alone, that I think we leave here different, regardless of the result.
I ran this race 7 times and was a Finisher 6 times. What makes this competition great is the territory where it takes place, Beira Baixa. Its people, its landscapes and above all the high quality of the corridors that we find here. I was lucky to run with them and make great friends, both among the athletes and with the organization.
While passing through the “Valley of Death” I saw and heard things that didn't exist, I didn't lose track of myself because I knew it was something that could happen. Basically, I kept moving forward until I reached the last gas station, where I had the real idea that I could win and break the race record.” It's one of those events where you should come if you really want to challenge yourself!
Video
Regulation
Program
Results from previous years
FAQs
Is the route marked?
No. The only way to orient yourself, and to know that you followed the route correctly, is through the GPS.
It's much easier than you imagine!
Will I walk many kilometers alone?
Yes. In some parts of the route the isolation is total. The feeling of isolation will be greater the deeper into the night they go.
The Organization will have teams with 4×4 vehicles along the route to help in situations of greater discomfort.
What type of route do I find?
The route is essentially off-road. For the most part, it is possible to run without any major problems. Technical sections exist and require special care. There are standing trails, water crossings that may or may not have water.
The route follows roads, and mainly, in the vicinity, in and out of towns. None of them will be closed to traffic. To avoid accidents, as required by the regulations, you must comply with all the rules of the highway code.
Can I be assisted on the route?
No. Support outside the Support Bases (BA) is penalized with disqualification. Assistance outside the BA is only permitted for the Organization and for medical help. Another type of help does not take away the possibility of being a finalist in the test.
What are the temperatures like at this time of year?
Very hot. Temperatures easily go above 40ºC. Exposed to the sun we have already recorded temperatures of 47ºC. Exposure to the sun is greater in the first two thirds of the race. The passage through Penamacor, Idanha-a-Nova and the territory of Castelo Branco is along trails that are almost always covered in low vegetation and without shadows.
The humidity percentages are also very low. In some cases they may be below 20%.
What are Support Bases?
These are places where all participants can eat, drink, rest and/or bathe. These are places where silence and harmony must prevail.
How many support bases are there?
Eight (8), considering the goal. All of them with solids and liquids.
What kind of supplies will I find?
At the Support Bases, BA, the Organization will provide solid and liquid food in the quantity and quality necessary to replenish energy and hydrate you. The Organization will also take care to make available food suitable for the type of effort you are expending.
Do I have medical support?
Yes. We will have relief teams on the ground and doctors at some support bases.
Are there supplies along the way?
Yes. However, the test must be carried out in self-sufficiency between support bases. Deliberate support outside the support bases is not permitted and results in immediate disqualification.
Can I sleep outside the support bases?
You must not. Resting outside of support bases requires special care, such as getting out of the way that most cars use. These breaks must be communicated to the organization.
What do I need to participate?
Have adequate physical condition and be prepared for the difficulties of the race. It is also necessary not to suffer from any health problems that limit the practice of ultra sports. endurance.
Is there mandatory equipment?
Yes there is. They will be indicated in the participant guide.
Of course, you must leave the support bases (BA) with a minimum of 1.5 liters of water. The Organization may require more, if temperatures so require.
If I don't have a support team, can I participate?
Yes. Support teams are not mandatory, but highly recommended. Although the Organization's support exists, the comfort and encouragement that a team of friends brings is priceless.
What is the maximum test time?
66 hours.
Is GPS mandatory?
Yes.
The markings on the ground, carried out by the Organization, will help guide you to the end.
GPS is the safest way to follow your route.
Do I have to take batteries?
We recommend that you do so. Bring batteries so that your equipment records your entire route, otherwise you will be penalized.
What settings should I have on the GPS?
Before the race, we will send you a manual on how you should configure your equipment. Too easy.
What GPS model do you recommend?
We recommend Garmin models because they are the ones we work with. However, there are many other pieces of equipment of enormous quality, precision and autonomy.
To keep in mind:
If you bring a GPS from a different brand, you will need to bring the connection cables and respective software with you.
What are the minimum GPS requirements to complete the test?
The GPS must have at least the capacity to record records with 10.000 points. You should be able to change batteries at any time or have external power supplies. You do not need to have maps of Portugal to take the test. In some cases, people even do without the map to be guided solely by the line shown on the GPS screen.
I have never “navigated” with a GPS. How do I know that Am I on the correct route?
A line below in a different color appears on the device. On top of this line there is a cursor indicating where to turn to continue your race along the drawn route.
Guiding yourself using GPS is much easier than you might imagine. There is equipment on the market that can be configured to warn you, through an audible signal, that you are about to change direction.
Are there time barriers?
The time barriers between support bases will be indicated in the participant guide to be sent days before the race.
Download the Race Pack
Discover everything you need to know about PT281 Ultramarathon, download free Race Pack with information about the race. Includes all route details, checkpoints and some tips from the experts.
ATTENTION: DETAILED EVENT INFORMATION WILL BE SENT TO REGISTRANTS VIA THE PARTICIPANT GUIDE.