Besides these two races, also on the list is the Luso half-marathon (Vasco da Gama Bridge), which is held on the same day as the Portuguese capital’s marathon, on 17 October.

In total, there are 191 races, in 49 different countries, to receive the ‘seal of approval’ of the international federation of the sport, starting already on 31 January in Japan, with the Osaka women’s marathon.

Usually racing in spring, it was already known that this year the Lisbon half-marathon was advancing about four months because of the Covid-19 pandemic.

It was postponed from 9 May to 12 September, with the organisation explaining that it did not want a “conditioned” race, but with “all the safety and public health conditions ensured for an event of this size”.

The Lisbon Marathon and the Luso Half Marathon, on the other hand, keep the date of 17 October, this after they also missed the 2020 edition.

In adaptation to the new reality dictated by the pandemic, the classification of the events, which until now were rated ‘platinum’, ‘gold’, ‘silver’ and ‘bronze’, was changed for this year. In 2021, there will only be three levels - the WA, the WA Elite and the WA Elite Platinum.

The three Portuguese races are at the lowest level, which means they have been held for at least two years and an international course measurement certificate.

Platinum’ status is reserved this year for 10 marathons: Nagoya (Japan), Berlin, London, Chicago, Boston, Amsterdam, Tokyo, New York, Shanghai and Valencia.