MessengerSANTA MARIA TRAIL - SMAT
Event summary
The Santa Maria Trail (SMAT) 2026 is a trail running event taking place on February 7, 2026, in Vila do Porto, Portugal, on the island of Santa Maria in the Azores. This event includes several race distances: a Long Trail of approximately 35 km, a Short Trail of about 20 km, a Mini Trail of 10 km, a non-competitive 10 km Walk, and a Trail Kids race of 4 km.
The event is open to all participants with minimum age requirements depending on the distance: 18+ for the Long Trail, 16+ for the Short and Mini Trails, and 8-15 years for the Trail Kids race. The Santa Maria Trail is certified by the ATRP and organized by the Casa do Povo de São Pedro Trail Running Section. Winners of the Long and Short Trail general classifications earn automatic entry to the next edition.
The race courses traverse diverse natural landscapes including trails, agricultural and forest paths, and water lines around Vila do Porto, offering scenic and technical challenges with significant elevation gains. The atmosphere is competitive yet welcoming, with a variety of distances catering to both experienced trail runners and beginners, as well as family participation through the walk and kids’ race.
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Plan itInformation
Start times per category/distance: 08:00 Trail Longo, 09:00 Trail Curto, 10:00 Mini Trail, 10:10 Caminhada SMAT, 11:30 Trail Kids
Bib pick-up time and location: Secretariado opens Feb 6, 14:00–19:00 and Feb 7 from 06:00; location to be designated
Start/finish locations: Transfers from Praça do Município de Vila do Porto to start and back from finish to Praça do Município
Age categories/divisions:
• Trail Longo: minimum 18 years
• Trail Curto and Mini Trail: minimum 16 years
• Trail Kids: 8 to 15 years
Cut-off times:
• Trail Longo: 7 hours total; PCI1: 3h45; PCI2: 5h30
• Trail Curto: 5 hours total; PCI1: 3 hours
• Mini Trail: 4 hours total
• Caminhada SMAT: 4 hours total
Registration deadline: January 25, 2026
Surface types: Natural trails including agricultural paths, forest trails, and water lines
Course format: Single stage, point-to-point with control points
Timing method: Electronic chip timing
Parking and shuttle details: Transfers provided from Vila do Porto town square to start and from finish back to town square
Location
get directionsRaces
Trail Run 35 km
Trail Run 20 km
Trail Run 10 km
Walking 10 km
Kids Race 4 km
Benefits
🎽 Athlete kit: bib, integrated timing chip, event t-shirt (while supplies last), official finisher souvenir
🏅 Finisher prize: official event finisher memorabilia
⏱️ Timing + live results by category with electronic chip timing
🛟 Safety support: aid stations with food and hydration, first aid strategically placed along course, emergency contact on bib
🛡️ Insurance: personal accident and civil liability insurance included
🥤 Aid stations: solids and liquids at multiple points depending on distance, plus post-race meal
🚌 Transfers from Vila do Porto municipality square to start and back from finish
🏆 Awards ceremony for top 3 overall and age categories in competitive races
