PHOTOS | Benedita Half Marathon 2026 passed through Benecar
Created by Tiago Fernandes at Monday, 14 September 2026
Benedita was back in full stride. Last Sunday, 13 September, the 2nd edition of the Benedita Half Marathon took place, once again bringing together athletes, families, volunteers and spectators for a day marked by sport, community spirit and support for the Benedita Volunteer Firefighters.
Benecar once again joined the initiative as a sponsor, strengthening a partnership that began with the inaugural edition and which, this year, was once again given special prominence with the athletes passing through our facilities and the Meta Volante Benecar challenge.
Organised by the Benedita Volunteer Firefighters, with technical management by Native Warriors, the 2026 edition was part of the national Road Warriors circuit and featured four different formats: a 21 km Half Marathon, a 10 km race, a 5 km walk and a Kids / Parents and Children race of approximately 500 metres.
A race that literally passes through Cidade do Automóvel
There are many races that pass along roads, through urban centres or rural areas. In Benedita, however, there is one section of the route that is hard to miss: the athletes literally enter Cidade do Automóvel.
The passage through Benecar once again provided some of the most distinctive images of the race. For a few minutes, the usual movement of cars gave way to running shoes, race bibs and athletes competing in a setting rarely seen in a road race.
It is precisely this connection with the local area that makes the Benedita Half Marathon special. The route does not simply cross the town: it passes through places that are part of its everyday life and identity.
Meta Volante Benecar: a challenge within the challenge
Just like in the first edition, the Meta Volante Benecar was once again part of the Benedita Half Marathon in 2026.
The first male athlete and the first female athlete to pass through the Meta Volante Benecar each won a vehicle service as their prize.
This year, the Meta Volante Benecar was won by André Costa in the men's category and Emília Pisoeiro in the women's category.
André Costa, from Casa do Benfica de Reguengos de Monsaraz, went on to complete the race in 1:16:41, finishing 4th overall. Emília Pisoeiro, from Clube Desportivo de Espite, finished in 1:19:40, becoming the first female athlete to cross the finish line.
More than just the prize, the initiative once again created a distinctive moment within the competition and strengthened Benecar's connection with the athletes and the event itself.
Sport, community and a greater cause
Despite its competitive nature, the Benedita Half Marathon was created with an objective that goes far beyond the times recorded on the stopwatch.
The event is organised by the Benedita Volunteer Firefighters and combines sport with an important component of support for the organisation.
That is also why Benecar decided to once again stand alongside the organisers. With Benedita having been our home since 1991, supporting initiatives capable of bringing the community together while also contributing to local institutions represents much more than simply having our brand present at an event.
Throughout the morning, experienced runners, local athletes, participants looking to conquer a new distance, families taking part in the walk and children taking their first steps in running could all be found along the course.
Different paces, but the same destination.
The 2nd edition of a story that began in 2025
This year's edition continued the story that began with the inaugural event held in September 2025.
At the time, the first Benedita Half Marathon had already taken athletes through Cidade do Automóvel, where Benecar welcomed the race and also hosted its Meta Volante challenge. The inaugural edition brought together competition, community and solidarity, leaving behind hundreds of images that can still be viewed in our report from the first edition.
→ Revisit the photographs from the 1st Benedita Half Marathon 2025
You can also look back at how Benecar's connection with the race began:
→ Benecar joins the Benedita Half Marathon
Relive the best moments from the Benedita Half Marathon 2026
From the start and the opening kilometres, to the Meta Volante Benecar, the passage through Cidade do Automóvel and the final metres towards the finish line, thousands of moments were captured to remember.
Our team followed the event and recorded some of them.
If you took part in the Benedita Half Marathon 2026, look for yourself in the photographs and save your favourites.
The photographs available on this page can be downloaded in high quality. If you share any of them on social media, tag Benecar - Cidade do Automóvel. We would love to see your posts.
To all the athletes, organisers, Benedita Volunteer Firefighters, volunteers, partners and spectators who contributed to this day, thank you.
See you at the next race.
