Despite being one of my favorite marathons, where I had already run in 2019 and 2021, the Geres Extreme Marathon has not always been easy to run. It takes place on peculiar dates, at the end of November/beginning of December, with other usual marathons close on the agenda, such as San Sebastián, Valencia, or Málaga, and in a location that is complicated to access except by car. In 2025, it ideally fell during the Constitution long weekend, which allowed for a more relaxed trip to enjoy an environment that always offers something, in a border area between Spain and Portugal that, in my opinion, is not sufficiently known from a tourist perspective.
On this occasion, we arrive on Saturday evening under a tremendous downpour, with the last few kilometers toward Geres being very slow as we cross paths with the runners of the 90k ultra-trail heading toward the finish line in the rain and darkness.
The first thing we do is check in the accommodation, just a few meters from the start/finish line, and then pick up the bib. The Christmas lighting, which on other occasions gave a special atmosphere to the village, is missing. Likewise, most of the local businesses are closed, including the restaurant where we had dined on previous occasions. It seems like a missed opportunity, knowing that Geres fills up completely during this weekend due to the different races that, organized by Carlos Sá Nature Events, adapt to all levels—from the most demanding and experienced runners, who can opt for the 90 or 42k races, to beginners, with half-marathon, 14k, and mile distances.
After a satisfactory dinner at one of the available spots, we retire early, hoping for more benign weather the following day.
With the start at 9:00, the atmosphere of the village changes significantly from Saturday afternoon to Sunday. From early morning, it fills with cars and runners who have come to enjoy this festive/sporting event. There is a large representation of Atletas Populares, including Quique—in what, according to his own words, is his favorite marathon, and if I remember correctly, also his third time—as well as Carlos, David, and Pablo from Trotapinares.
The name “Extreme Marathon” is precisely due to the high elevation gain of the route, more typical of a trail race, although with the particularity of taking place almost entirely on roads, which makes it more accessible for road runners, and not just trail runners.
With a November free of competitions, I trained on hills with frequency and intensity, focusing on what awaited me in Geres. At the start, the first kilometer is around the village before quickly facing the first ascent. And also the most difficult: 540 meters of elevation gain in 6k. I follow the same strategy as on other occasions: taking the climb calmly, though always running, so as not to burn out and pay for the effort later. All this under a light and intermittent drizzle. Nothing like the conditions we found upon arriving in Geres yesterday evening, which must have punished—and in what a way—the runners facing the longest distance: the 90k.
After the first aid station, it is time to run down the hill. Time to descend without brakes until reaching the outskirts of Geres to face the next climb. This time it would be about 400 meters in 6k to reach the Leonte aid station. Impressive landscapes of mountains and wild forests that have managed to survive the fires ravaging other regions.
From Leonte, the worst is over. The terrain becomes more undulating, though not easy. I reach the Museu da Geira, which I remember from previous occasions, the point of the fourth aid station and kilometer 28 of the race, in 3h and 15 minutes, having overtaken numerous runners.
A short stage led us to the last aid station, near the Miradouro Voltas de S Bento. With 8k left to the finish, Geres can be seen at the bottom of the valley. It is all downhill from there. Not the moment to give in.
A short stretch through the town center and we face the finish line, which I cross just under 4h and 30 minutes. Net time: 4:29:50 (4:30:36 and position 226 out of 473 finishers). A time and position that improves my 2019 result (4:31:31), though not the one from 2021 (4:24:16). Satisfied with the result, I meet Quique in the finish area, who have just crossed. In few races can I afford to finish so close to him.
With 4h 29m on such a demanding circuit, it adds even more value to my poor result in Lisbon at the end of October, where I finished above 4h 20m.
And so I finish my marathon 156, and my 23rd in Portugal. Also the last of 2025, which I end with 13 marathons—a number I repeated in 2018 and 2019, and intentionally far from the 20 I chained together in 2024 on my way to the 150th.
Looking forward 2026 with a hunger for new horizons, seeking to avoid the logistical burdens of the most expensive races if I have already claimed their medals—like Murcia, Seville, or Castellón—and choosing new ground over the familiar, even if it means skipping old favorites like Madrid.