First held in 1991, the race has consistently delivered fast winning times. However, many of these times have been unratifiable for record purposes due to factors including: the course being too short (1991–93), excessive tailwinds, as well as there being an excessive drop in altitude, which boosted athletes' performances (1996, 1998, 2000-01, 2004, and 2006).Moreira, Cristina & Costa, Paulo (2005-03-13). Tergat runs 59:10 in Lisbon Half Marathon. IAAF. Retrieved on 2010-03-22.

The course was judged as non-permissible for records until 2008, in which year the organisers changed the elite course to allow for records. The new course begins at sea level

Sea level

Mean sea level is a measure of the average height of the ocean's surface ; used as a standard in reckoning land elevation...

 on the north side of the river Tagus

Tagus

The Tagus is the longest river on the Iberian Peninsula. It is long, in Spain, along the border between Portugal and Spain and in Portugal, where it empties into the Atlantic Ocean at Lisbon. It drains an area of . The Tagus is highly utilized for most of its course...

, a change which made the course entirely flat. The course for the mass participation race, which has attracted almost 30,000 runners in previous years, remained unchanged and begins by crossing the Ponte 25 de Abril suspension bridge before linking up with the new elite course.

The current elite course of the half marathon begins in a small town on the north bank of the Tagus, no longer crossing the bridge, and the course is wide and flat from there on. Heading eastwards towards the city centre, the course passes the docks and traces a route alongside much of the city's historical architecture, including the Belém Tower

Belém Tower

Belém Tower or the Tower of St Vincent is a fortified tower located in the civil parish of Santa Maria de Belém in the municipality of Lisbon, Portugal...

 and Jerónimos Monastery

Jerónimos Monastery

The Hieronymites Monastery is located near the shore of the parish of Belém, in the municipality of Lisbon, Portugal...

.

From 2008 onwards, the organisers set aside a 50,000 € prize pot for any athlete breaking the world record over the half marathon

Half marathon

A half marathon is a road running event of . It is half the distance of a marathon and usually run on roads. Participation in half marathons has grown steadily recently. One of the main reasons for this is that it is a challenging distance, but does not require the same level of training that a...

 distance. This led to the participation of a number of prominent athletes, with marathon world record holder Haile Gebrselassie

Haile Gebrselassie

Haile Gebrselassie is an Ethiopian long-distance track and road running athlete. He won two Olympic gold medals over 10,000 metres and four World Championship titles in the event. He won the Berlin Marathon four times consecutively and also had three straight wins at the Dubai Marathon...

 winning the 2008 edition, while Charles Kamathi

Charles Kamathi

Charles Waweru Kamathi is a Kenyan long-distance runner. He is best known for winning the 10,000 metres distance at the 2001 World Championships in Edmonton.-Early life and career:...

 and Robert Kipkoech Cheruiyot

Robert Kipkoech Cheruiyot

Robert "Mwafrika" Kipkoech Cheruiyot , sometimes known as Omar Ahmed, is a Kenyan marathon runner and is the former record holder and four-time winner of the Boston Marathon.- Early career :...

 followed behind. Another strong field was assembled in 2010 and Zersenay Tadese of Eritrea

Eritrea

Eritrea , officially the State of Eritrea, is a country in the Horn of Africa. Eritrea derives it's name from the Greek word Erethria, meaning 'red land'. The capital is Asmara. It is bordered by Sudan in the west, Ethiopia in the south, and Djibouti in the southeast...

 broke both the 20 kilometres

20 kilometres race walk

The 20 kilometre race walk is an Olympic athletics event that is competed by both men and women. The racewalking event is competed as a road race...

 and half marathon world records in his winning run.

The competition also hosts a mini marathon

Mini marathon

A mini marathon is a middle to long-distance road race of a distance which is less than a marathon. The term is sometimes used in place of "Half Marathon" A mini marathon is a middle to long-distance road race of a distance which is less than a marathon. The term is sometimes used in place of "Half...

 race, which has featured many prominent Portuguese citizens, including the former President of Portugal

President of Portugal

Portugal has been a republic since 1910, and since that time the head of state has been the president, whose official title is President of the Portuguese Republic ....

 Jorge Sampaio, and José Socrates

José Sócrates

José Sócrates Carvalho Pinto de Sousa, GCIH , commonly known by José Sócrates , is a Portuguese politician who was the Prime Minister of Portugal from 12 March 2005 to 21 June 2011....

, the Portuguese Prime Minister. Energias de Portugal

Energias de Portugal

EDP - Energias de Portugal ranks among Europe's major electricity operators, as well as being one of Portugal's largest business groups....

 has sponsored the competition for a number of years.

Winners

Key:

Year	Men's winner	Nationality	Time (h Hour The hour is a unit of measurement of time. In modern usage, an hour comprises 60 minutes, or 3,600 seconds... :m Minute A minute is a unit of measurement of time or of angle. The minute is a unit of time equal to 1/60th of an hour or 60 seconds. In the UTC time scale, a minute on rare occasions has 59 or 61 seconds; see leap second. The minute is not an SI unit; however, it is accepted for use with SI units... :s Second The second is a unit of measurement of time, and is the International System of Units base unit of time. It may be measured using a clock.... )	Women's winner	Nationality	Time (h Hour The hour is a unit of measurement of time. In modern usage, an hour comprises 60 minutes, or 3,600 seconds... :m Minute A minute is a unit of measurement of time or of angle. The minute is a unit of time equal to 1/60th of an hour or 60 seconds. In the UTC time scale, a minute on rare occasions has 59 or 61 seconds; see leap second. The minute is not an SI unit; however, it is accepted for use with SI units... :s Second The second is a unit of measurement of time, and is the International System of Units base unit of time. It may be measured using a clock.... )
2011	Zersenay Tadese		58:30	Aberu Kebede Aberu Kebede Aberu Kebede Shewaye is an Ethiopian long distance runner who specialises in road running competitions. Her half marathon best of 1:07:39 is one of the fastest ever by an Ethiopian woman...		1:08:28
2010	Zersenay Tadese		58:23 WR	Peninah Arusei Peninah Arusei Penninah Arusei Jerop is a Kenyan long-distance runner who specialises in road running competitions, especially the half marathon. She has represented Kenya at the Olympics, having competed in the 10,000 metres race at the 2008 Beijing Olympics...		1:08:38
2009	Martin Lel Martin Lel Martin Kiptolo Lel is a Kenyan long distance and marathon runner. He won the London Marathon in 2005, 2007, and 2008, the New York City Marathon in 2003 and 2007 and the Great North Run in 2007 and 2009. His personal best time, , is 2:05:15, which he ran in the 2008 London Marathon setting a...		59:56	Kara Goucher Kara Goucher Kara Goucher is an American long-distance runner.-Personal life:Goucher was born in Queens, New York. When she was 4 years old her family moved to Duluth, Minnesota after her father was killed by a drunk driver on the Harlem River Drive...		1:08:30
2008	Haile Gebrselassie Haile Gebrselassie Haile Gebrselassie is an Ethiopian long-distance track and road running athlete. He won two Olympic gold medals over 10,000 metres and four World Championship titles in the event. He won the Berlin Marathon four times consecutively and also had three straight wins at the Dubai Marathon...		59:15	Salina Kosgei Salina Kosgei Salina Jebet Kosgei is a long distance runner from Kenya. She is a Commonwealth Games gold medalist, has competed at the Olympics and has won various marathons, including the 2009 Boston Marathon.- Career :...		1:09:57
2007	Robert Kipchumba Robert Kipchumba Robert Kipkorir Kipchumba is a Kenyan long distance track, and road running athlete....		1:00:31	Rita Jeptoo Rita Jeptoo Rita Jeptoo Sitienei is a Kenyan marathon runner. She won the 2006 Boston Marathon, setting her personal best of 2:23:38 hours. She has also won marathons in Stockholm and Milan, as well as having represented Kenya in the event at the 2007 World Championships in Athletics...		1:07:05
2006	Martin Lel Martin Lel Martin Kiptolo Lel is a Kenyan long distance and marathon runner. He won the London Marathon in 2005, 2007, and 2008, the New York City Marathon in 2003 and 2007 and the Great North Run in 2007 and 2009. His personal best time, , is 2:05:15, which he ran in the 2008 London Marathon setting a...		59:30	Salina Kosgei Salina Kosgei Salina Jebet Kosgei is a long distance runner from Kenya. She is a Commonwealth Games gold medalist, has competed at the Olympics and has won various marathons, including the 2009 Boston Marathon.- Career :...		1:07:52
2005	Paul Tergat Paul Tergat Paul Kibii Tergat is a Kenyan professional long distance runner. He held the world record in the marathon from 2003 to 2007, with a time of 2:04:55, and is regarded as one of the most accomplished long-distance runners of all time.Now concentrating exclusively on the marathon, Tergat won many...		59:10	Susan Chepkemei Susan Chepkemei Susan Chepkemei is a female Kenyan long-distance runner, who competes in the 10,000 metres and marathon. In 2001 she won the Rotterdam Marathon and came first in the Great North Run, as well as winning the silver medal in the World Half Marathon Championships...		1:08:49
2004	Rodgers Rop Rodgers Rop Rodgers Rop is a long-distance runner from Kenya.In 2002, Rop won both the Boston Marathon and the New York Marathon...		59:49	Joyce Chepchumba Joyce Chepchumba Joyce Chepchumba is a long distance athlete from Kenya.- Achievements :*1995**Tilburg Ten Miles winner**Parelloop 10Kwinner *1997**London Marathon winner*1998**Chicago Marathon winner*1999...		1:08:11
2003	Martin Lel Martin Lel Martin Kiptolo Lel is a Kenyan long distance and marathon runner. He won the London Marathon in 2005, 2007, and 2008, the New York City Marathon in 2003 and 2007 and the Great North Run in 2007 and 2009. His personal best time, , is 2:05:15, which he ran in the 2008 London Marathon setting a...		1:00:10	Derartu Tulu Derartu Tulu Derartu Tulu is an Ethiopian long distance track, road and marathon athlete.Derartu , a member of the Oromo ethnic group, grew up tending cattle in the village of Bekoji in the highlands of Arsi Province...		1:09:20
2002	Haile Gebrselassie Haile Gebrselassie Haile Gebrselassie is an Ethiopian long-distance track and road running athlete. He won two Olympic gold medals over 10,000 metres and four World Championship titles in the event. He won the Berlin Marathon four times consecutively and also had three straight wins at the Dubai Marathon...		59:41	Susan Chepkemei Susan Chepkemei Susan Chepkemei is a female Kenyan long-distance runner, who competes in the 10,000 metres and marathon. In 2001 she won the Rotterdam Marathon and came first in the Great North Run, as well as winning the silver medal in the World Half Marathon Championships...		1:08:23
2001	Hendrick Ramaala		1:00:26	Susan Chepkemei Susan Chepkemei Susan Chepkemei is a female Kenyan long-distance runner, who competes in the 10,000 metres and marathon. In 2001 she won the Rotterdam Marathon and came first in the Great North Run, as well as winning the silver medal in the World Half Marathon Championships...		1:05:44
2000	Paul Tergat Paul Tergat Paul Kibii Tergat is a Kenyan professional long distance runner. He held the world record in the marathon from 2003 to 2007, with a time of 2:04:55, and is regarded as one of the most accomplished long-distance runners of all time.Now concentrating exclusively on the marathon, Tergat won many...		59:06	Tegla Loroupe Tegla Loroupe Tegla Chepkite Loroupe is a long-distance track and road runner, and a global spokeswoman for peace, women's rights, and education....		1:07:23
1999	Japhet Kosgei Japhet Kosgei Japhet Kosgei is a retired long-distance runner from Kenya, who won several marathons during his career, including the 1999 edition of the Rotterdam Marathon and 2006 Belgrade Marathon. His personal best is 2:07:09. He won the Lisbon Half Marathon 1999.-Achievements:- References :...		1:00:01	Tegla Loroupe Tegla Loroupe Tegla Chepkite Loroupe is a long-distance track and road runner, and a global spokeswoman for peace, women's rights, and education....		1:07:52
1998	António Pinto António Pinto António Coelho Pinto is a Portuguese long-distance runner.Pinto won the London Marathon in 1992, 1997 and 2000, as well as the 10,000 metres final at the 1998 European Championships in Athletics in Budapest, Hungary. Pinto's best time in the marathon is 2:06:36...		59:43	Catherina McKiernan Catherina McKiernan Catherina McKiernan is a former long-distance runner from Ireland, who competed in the marathon, 10,000 metres and cross country....		1:07:50
1997	Mohammed Mourhit Mohammed Mourhit Mohammed Mourhit is a Belgian top cross country, middle and long distance runner who holds two European records, in the 3000 m and 5000 m. He is also a former European 10000 m record holder...		1:01:17	Tegla Loroupe Tegla Loroupe Tegla Chepkite Loroupe is a long-distance track and road runner, and a global spokeswoman for peace, women's rights, and education....		1:09:01
1996	Clement Kiprotich		1:01:15	Tegla Loroupe Tegla Loroupe Tegla Chepkite Loroupe is a long-distance track and road runner, and a global spokeswoman for peace, women's rights, and education....		1:07:12
1995	Simon Lopuyet		1:00:26	Tegla Loroupe Tegla Loroupe Tegla Chepkite Loroupe is a long-distance track and road runner, and a global spokeswoman for peace, women's rights, and education....		1:08:21
1994	Andrés Espinosa Andrés Espinosa Andrés Espinosa Pérez is a retired Mexican long-distance runner who specialized in marathon races....		1:01:34	Tegla Loroupe Tegla Loroupe Tegla Chepkite Loroupe is a long-distance track and road runner, and a global spokeswoman for peace, women's rights, and education....		1:09:27
1993	Sammy Lelei Sammy Lelei Sammy Lelei is a former long-distance runner from Kenya, who won the Berlin Marathon on September 24, 1995, with a total time of 2:07:02. It was the fastest marathon time in 2005.He also won the Lisbon Half Marathon 2007.-Achievements:...		59:24	Nadezhda Ilyina Nadezhda Wijenberg Nadezhda Wijenberg is a long-distance runner from Russia, who got the Dutch nationality in 1999 by marrying her coach Ger Wijenberg from the Netherlands....		1:09:47
1992	Tendai Chimusasa Tendai Chimusasa Tendai Chimusasa is a retired Zimbabwean long-distance runner. He carried the flag for his native country at the opening ceremony of the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta, Georgia...		1:01:17	Heléna Barócsi		1:10:01
1991	Paul Evans Paul Evans (athlete) Paul William Evans is a former distance runner from England, who ran in the 10000m track final at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics and 1996 Atlanta Olympics. He took up running at 25, having been a footballer...		1:01:44	Rosa Mota Rosa Mota Rosa Maria Correia dos Santos Mota, GCIH, GCM is a Portuguese former marathon runner, one of her country's foremost athletes. She is also considered to have been one of the best marathon runners of the 20th century....		1:09:52

Statistics

Winners by country

Country	Men's race	Women's race	Total
	11	14	25
	2	1	3
	2	0	2
	1	1	2
	1	0	1
	1	0	1
	0	1	1
	0	1	1
	1	0	1
	0	1	1
	1	0	1
	0	1	1
	1	0	1

Multiple winners

Athlete	Country	Wins	Years
Tegla Loroupe Tegla Loroupe Tegla Chepkite Loroupe is a long-distance track and road runner, and a global spokeswoman for peace, women's rights, and education....		6	1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1999, 2000
Susan Chepkemei Susan Chepkemei Susan Chepkemei is a female Kenyan long-distance runner, who competes in the 10,000 metres and marathon. In 2001 she won the Rotterdam Marathon and came first in the Great North Run, as well as winning the silver medal in the World Half Marathon Championships...		3	2001, 2002, 2005
Martin Lel Martin Lel Martin Kiptolo Lel is a Kenyan long distance and marathon runner. He won the London Marathon in 2005, 2007, and 2008, the New York City Marathon in 2003 and 2007 and the Great North Run in 2007 and 2009. His personal best time, , is 2:05:15, which he ran in the 2008 London Marathon setting a...		3	2003, 2006, 2009
Paul Tergat Paul Tergat Paul Kibii Tergat is a Kenyan professional long distance runner. He held the world record in the marathon from 2003 to 2007, with a time of 2:04:55, and is regarded as one of the most accomplished long-distance runners of all time.Now concentrating exclusively on the marathon, Tergat won many...		3	2000, 2002, 2005
Haile Gebrselassie Haile Gebrselassie Haile Gebrselassie is an Ethiopian long-distance track and road running athlete. He won two Olympic gold medals over 10,000 metres and four World Championship titles in the event. He won the Berlin Marathon four times consecutively and also had three straight wins at the Dubai Marathon...		2	2002, 2008
Zersenay Tadese		2	2010, 2011
Salina Kosgei Salina Kosgei Salina Jebet Kosgei is a long distance runner from Kenya. She is a Commonwealth Games gold medalist, has competed at the Olympics and has won various marathons, including the 2009 Boston Marathon.- Career :...		2	2006, 2008

External links

• Official website