Half Marathon races near Aljaraque

The Monte Gordo Sand Race is an annual motorcycle and quad beach-racing event held each November on Monte Gordo beach in the Algarve, Portugal. Riders compete on a temporary sand circuit constructed on the beach, and the event is a round of the FIM Sand Races World Cup. The main motorcycle contest features two timed heats over the weekend: a longer Saturday race and a shorter Sunday race, with the combined time determining the overall winner. Quads, junior riders, and vintage classes also have their own shorter heat formats. The course, initially around 5 km, later expanded to 6 km, with jumps incorporated to diversify the beach circuit. The race is organized by the Automóvel Club de Portugal, supported by Vila Real de Santo António City Council, and conducted under Portuguese federation and FIM regulations. It has attracted prominent sand-racing competitors including Todd Kellett, Cyril Genot, Amandine Verstappen, Keveen Rochereau, and Nathanaelle Abgrall. A youth trophy offers riders aged 8 to 16 separate motorcycle and quad categories, while the event’s environmental program involves sand and water monitoring, tree planting, native shrubs, and FIM KISS sustainability initiatives.