Oh Meu Deus by UTMB puts Seia on the global trail running map

In an edition marked by its demanding nature, global scope, and strong regional identity, bringing together more than 2,000 athletes from 62 countries and confirming the event’s full integration into the UTMB World Series circuit.

Over several days, the athletes traversed the central mountain range, from Lousã to Torre, crossing a landscape of immense natural beauty and stark contrasts, in a region still scarred by last summer’s wildfires and the aftermath of February’s series of storms. Despite the long stretches through charred forest, the green that is gradually returning and the still-preserved forest of the Serra da Estrela Natural Park painted the athletes’ memories with images that will endure beyond the competitive arena.

All races finished in Seia, with the 160 km race—the event’s greatest challenge, organized by Horizontes - Turismo Desportivo - starting in Lousã and passing through iconic locations in the municipalities of Góis, Arganil, Pampilhosa, and Covilhã, such as the beautiful schist villages of Fajão, Talasnal, Candal, Pena, and Sobral de São Miguel, among others, all with their own unique character, on a route that blended nature, culture, and identity.

The event stood out for the strong involvement of local communities and municipalities, which welcomed athletes and teams with rare warmth, accompanied by a demanding and coordinated logistical response on the ground, with Seia playing a decisive role in building a solid and ambitious edition, capable of hosting an event of international scale.

This edition was only made possible thanks to the support of Turismo Centro de Portugal, the involvement of the municipalities of Seia, Pampilhosa da Serra, Lousã, Góis, Arganil, and Covilhã, and, above all, the tireless dedication of volunteers and local associations who, with genuine commitment, ensured the hospitality and human spirit that sustain an event of this scale. To everyone who walked with us, our deepest thanks for making Oh Meu Deus by UTMB a truly memorable edition.

The 2026 edition represents a clear milestone. Central Portugal has now established itself as a leading international destination for trail running, demonstrating its ability to host large-scale events with significant sporting, tourism, and regional impact. Oh Meu Deus by UTMB was more than just a competition: it showed that the region has the scale, identity, and conditions to make its mark on the international stage, even emerging from a recent period of adversity.