Sao Joao dos Angolares, ST · Sunday 25 June 2023
The Sao Tome Maratona 2023 is a hilly trail marathon held in June on the island of Sao Tome and Principe, starting in Sao Joao dos Angolares. The 42.2-kilometer course is genuinely challenging, with sustained elevation gain throughout and peaks reaching nearly 200 meters above sea level, so come prepared for relentless climbing rather than a runnable pace. Trail running experience is essential here, as you'll be navigating technical terrain on a fully off-road surface rather than fireroads or groomed paths. The tropical heat and humidity typical of the region in June will compound the difficulty, so plan your training and fueling accordingly. Check the race website at sao-tome-marathon.com for specific course details and logistics, as this is a smaller event on an island destination that requires more planning than a typical European marathon.
Adjusted Time
4:51:40
Time difference: +51.7 minutes compared to a flat, road, temperate course.
Sao Tome Maratona is a full marathon held in Sao Joao dos Angolares, ST, scheduled for Sunday 25 June 2023. The course is run on trail surface with 553m of total elevation gain, reaching a maximum altitude of 194m above sea level. For registration and full race details, visit the official Sao Tome Maratona website.
This is a hilly course with 553m of total elevation gain. The route climbs from 6m to as high as 194m above sea level — a substantial 188m elevation range. Runners should train on hills and plan for a more conservative pacing strategy, especially on the climbs.
Sao Tome Maratona is a trail race, meaning the course includes unpaved surfaces such as dirt, gravel, or forest paths. Trail surfaces are inherently slower than road courses due to uneven footing, technical sections, and often steeper gradients. Trail-specific shoes with good grip are recommended, and runners should expect a finish time 10-20% slower than their equivalent road marathon time.
Our difficulty rating for Sao Tome Maratona is calculated using a model that combines elevation gain, temperature impact, and surface type. Use the difficulty calculator above to enter your target finish time and see exactly how many minutes this course would add or subtract compared to a perfectly flat, cool, road-based marathon. Faster runners and slower runners are affected differently by the same course conditions, so the difficulty is personalised to your pace.
Looking for an easier marathon or a tougher challenge? You can also compare Sao Tome Maratona against other marathons to find the right race for your goals.