Press Release After Event
Planicare European Marathon honors Semachew Welde and Hanane Bouaggad in historic edition in Aveiro
The sixth edition brought together 21,686 entrants, athletes from 82 countries, and confirmed the race as one of the major international road events in Portugal, with a strong Portuguese presence and Beira-Mar’s dominance in the 10 km and half marathons.
Aveiro, April 27, 2026The Planicare 2026 European Marathon ended this weekend in Aveiro with definitive confirmation of its international, competitive and popular dimension. Over the two days of the event, the city welcomed thousands of athletes, families, clubs, visitors and partners, in a weekend that brought together a marathon, half marathon, 10 km, walk and the Canals Challenge, consolidating Aveiro as the stage for one of the fastest-growing road races in Portugal.
The 2026 edition will be marked by figures on an unprecedented scale: 21,686 entrants, athletes from 82 countries, television broadcasts, a strong popular presence in the streets and a Marathon Expo that has kept pace with the event’s evolution, with 5,000 square meters and 52 exhibitors. But above all, the weekend was marked by a clear message: the Planicare European Marathon is no longer just a growing race. It is now a sporting, territorial and media event with international projection.
In the queen distance, Ethiopia’s Semachew Birhanu Welde won the men’s marathon with 2:10:04.533He stood on a podium with a strong international presence. The Kenyan Aspel Kiptoo Kiprop was runner-up with 2:15:09.350while Sweden’s Emil Millan de la Oliva rounded off the men’s podium with 2:15:21.083.
In the women’s section, victory went to Moroccan Hanane Bouaggadwho completed the 42.195 km in 2:31:40.347. The Portuguese Joana Vanessa Carvalhofrom Sporting Clube de Braga, put in a performance of great competitive value, finishing in second place with 2:32:42.330. The Kenyan Aurelia Kiptui completed the podium with 2:42:51.487.
The victory of Semachew Welde and Hanane Bouaggad confirmed the international quality of the elite present in Aveiro. The race once again attracted top-level African and European athletes, reinforcing the ambition of the Planicare European Marathon to become one of the most important road events on the national and international calendar.
But the 2026 edition also had a very strong national reading. O Sport Clube Beira-Mar was one of the great collective figures of the weekend, winning both the men’s and women’s 10 km and half marathon. Four outright victories for athletes linked to the Aveiro club, a clear demonstration of local and regional strength in an increasingly international event.
In 10 kmwas held on Saturday, Luís Oliveirafrom Sport Clube Beira-Mar, won the men’s race with 30:09.850ahead of Estonian Deniss Šalkauskassecond with 30:18.257and Miguel Mascarenhasthird with 31:46.729.
In the women’s 10 km, Susana Godinhofrom Beira-Mar Runners, confirmed her favoritism and won with 34:00.073. The Spanish Sandra Prieto was second with 37:03.997while Alexandra Canedo completed the podium, with 37:36.807.
On Sunday, the half marathon once again gave Beira-Mar the lead. Alexandre Venânciofrom Sport Clube Beira-Mar, won the 21 km in 1:04:27.863followed by Nuno Fernandesfrom Vizela Corre, with 1:04:46.807and Artur Fortesfrom João Silva CCR Praia de Mira, with 1:05:53.337.
In the women’s half marathon, Joana Ferreiraalso from Sport Clube Beira-Mar, won with 1:14:15.143. Sara Duarte finished in second place with 1:16:03.133, e Carla Martinhofrom SCBM, rounded off the podium with 1:18:07.093.
The competitive strength of the edition was thus divided between the international projection of the marathon and the Portuguese affirmation in the other distances. This balance is one of the most important hallmarks of the Planicare European Marathon: a race capable of attracting foreign elite, enhancing the best national athletes and mobilizing thousands of amateur runners, on the same weekend and in the same city.
The connection to Aveiro was once again decisive. The city of canals was more than just a backdrop. It was an active part of the experience. The route, the relationship with the Ria, the proximity to the city center, the involvement of institutions and the response of the public reinforced the identity of the race and its value for the territory. The Planicare European Marathon is now a platform for promoting Aveiro, with an impact on sport, tourism, hotels, restaurants, local businesses and the region’s external image.
The popular dimension of the race was also decisive. The walk, the 10 km, the half marathon and the Canals Challenge gave the event a rare breadth, involving experienced runners, first-timers, families, clubs, informal groups and participants from several generations. This transversality explains part of the race’s growth and confirms its positioning as an open, inclusive and strongly community-based event.
The signature “Marathon of a Thousand Emotions” gained concrete expression over the weekend. In addition to the competitive component, the 2026 edition once again took on a strong human dimension, with initiatives linked to inclusion, solidarity and overcoming obstacles. The medals handed out at the finish line were designed with the collaboration of children with cerebral palsy, in a symbolic gesture that gave even more meaning to the athletes’ moment of arrival.
The return of João NetoThe race’s inclusive sponsor was once again one of the most memorable moments. For the third year running, the ultra-marathon runner covered the 42 kilometers pushing a wheelchair, as part of the project Solidarity WheelsIt also reinforced the message that the marathon can also be an instrument of access, visibility and social transformation. The delivery of new wheelchairs to children with special needs once again gave the event a dimension that clearly goes beyond the sporting result.
The presence of overcoming stories, elite athletes, popular runners and thousands of participants at different distances made this edition one of the most complete in the event’s history. In Aveiro, competition coexisted with celebration. Performance met inclusion. The international elite shared the same stage with the community.
The Marathon Expo reinforced this dynamic, acting as a meeting point for the event and as an activation space for brands, partners, athletes and families. With 5,000 square meters and 52 exhibitors, the Expo gained scale and created a complementary experience to the race, bringing participants, sponsors and the public together in an environment of strong movement and direct contact.
Media coverage also helped to raise the profile of the Planicare European Marathon. The main race was broadcast live on TVI, while the 10 km was covered by Conta Lá, allowing the energy of the event to be brought to a national audience and strengthening the media return for Aveiro, the organization and the associated partners.
“This edition confirms that the Planicare European Marathon has definitely entered a new dimension. We had a record number of entrants, athletes from 82 countries, international winners, great Portuguese results, a mobilized city and a human dimension that we are deeply proud of. The Planicare European Marathon is no longer just a running event. It’s an event of territory, community, inclusion and international affirmation for Aveiro,” says Paulo Costa, CEO of GlobalSport.
The organization is now starting the final review of the 2026 edition, with the ambition of continuing to raise the competitive quality, improve the experience of the participants, strengthen the international presence and consolidate the Planicare European Marathon as one of the great road events held in Portugal.
Absolute winners of the Planicare European Marathon 2026
Men’s 42km Marathon
Semachew Birhanu Welde, Ethiopia, 2:10:04.533
Women’s 42 km Marathon
Hanane Bouaggad, Morocco, 2:31:40.347
Men’s 21 km Half Marathon
Alexandre Venâncio, Portugal, Sport Clube Beira-Mar, 1:04:27.863
Women’s 21 km Half Marathon
Joana Ferreira, Portugal, Sport Clube Beira-Mar, 1:14:15.143
Men’s 10 km
Luís Oliveira, Portugal, Sport Clube Beira-Mar, 30:09.850
Women’s 10 km
Susana Godinho, Portugal, Beira-Mar Runners, 34:00.073