A Running Experience You'll Never Forget
Algarve, Portugal
THURSDAY, SEPT 23RD, 2027 TO SUNDAY, SEPT 26
JOIN US FOR AN AMAZING TRAINING & VACATION EXPERIENCE
Join the RunnersConnect coaches as we host an amazing 4-day running retreat in Algarve, Portugal.
Our retreats are the perfect combination of spectacular running, hands-on coaching, informative and fun training lessons, and unforgettable memories with runners just like you!
The location on the Algarve is perfect for running with a mix of scenic trails along the cliffs, cross-country trails and beach routes.
Whether you’re looking for the opportunity to get expert coaching or you just looking for a place where you can relax and enjoy the beauty of running, this is the perfect trip to enjoy scenic running in one of the most beautiful places in Portugal.
Plus, you have time to relax, explore and enjoy nothing but running, learning how to train smarter, and getting individual coaching in perfect running weather.
Our retreats are an intimate, informative, relaxing, and amazing running experience for all ages and abilities.
Most first-timers come for the trails and training and keep coming back for the comradery and we’re sure you’ll feel the same!
Portugal Fall 2027 Running Retreat Details
When
Sept. 23rd to Sept 26th, 2027
(4 days, 3 nights)
Cost
$1995 – Single Room Suite
$900 – Spouse/family (shared bed)
Where
Algarve, Portugal. Stunning cliffs, trails and training
Travel and Logistics
You should plan to fly into Faro International Airport.
We will provide transportation to and from the airport to the hotel.
You should plan to arrive between 9am and 2pm on Thursday, September 23rd.
If you’d like to arrive on Wednesday or earlier, we can still arrange transportation and there will be an extra fee for each night for the hotel.
Plan your return flight ideally after 1pm on Sunday, September 26th.
This will give you enough time to participate in the morning sessions.
Accomodations
We will be staying at the AP Victoria Sports Albufeira, Portugal.
The accommodations are 1-bedroom apartments and is fully equipped with a kitchen (separate from the bedrooms), refrigerator, kitchen utensils (including a kettle), oven, living room, balcony, and air conditioning.
The hotel also has a fitness center and pool and is nearby to all the best running trails.
Training and Experience Level
We schedule all running locations and times to accomodate your training.
We have athletes running from 3-20 miles during the weekend depending on their goal race distance and current fitness.
If you need help determining what would be best for you, we can help you determine the optimal runs for you. This ensures that the training while at the retreat will fit perfectly with your racing plans.
All speeds and experience levels are welcome so don’t be put off by the ‘training camp’ label.
The goal of the camp is to help you develop as a runner, whatever your standard, but we are mindful that the trip is first and foremost a holiday.
There are no compulsory sessions or runs, you can do as much or as little as you like and if you have a non-running partner more interested in lying on the beach that running along it, they will be welcome too and they will find plenty in the local area to keep them occupied.
As you know, we don’t care how fast or slow you are, we just want you to have fun and run well! I guarantee you will have someone to run with and make new friends the entire weekend. In 2019 we had everyone from a 5:30 marathoner to a 19 min 5k runner…and we had a blast!
Food
All food will be provided for you. The hotel has a delicious, athlete-focused breakfast, lunch and dinner option.
We will go out to eat at least once during the retreat and this will be provided for you as well.
If you have dietary restrictions, we will collect this information when we take the final payment and we will accommodate anything you need.
Registration
The deposit due at signup is $995.
The deposit is refundable up until we ask to confirm the final payment May of 2027. At this point, the deposit will not be refundable.
Once your deposit is confirmed, we will email you confirmation and keep you updated on the itinerary, etc.
We will also collect travel details and arrange airport pickups when we collect the final payment. We will then email you 2-3 weeks with exact airport pickup times and all travel details.
A Taste of Our Retreats
Lectures from our Coaching Staff
From training concepts to nutrition and mental planning you'll leave the retreat with tons of great information for your training
experience amazing running trails
The weather in Algarve in September is perfect and is also perfect for running, with a mix of trails along the cliffs, largely traffic-free roads, cross-country trails or beach routes.
Coach-Guided Strength Training Sessions
Our coaches will guide you through pre-run drills and stretches, post-run recovery routines, plus strength and drill routines
Make New Running Friends
Meet and make new running friends who share your passion for running and love to learn and have fun.
1-on-1 Coaching sessions
Plenty of 1-on-1 coaching time to help answer your questions, create a program, race plan and discuss long-term and short-term goals.
Yoga, Recovery & More
Take the time to experience what true recovery is with yoga, stretching, rolling sessions and more.
What Does a Typical Day Look Like?
We’ve put together an amazing itinerary that will be an awesome balance of running, recovery and strength sessions, coaching and learning opportunities, free time to relax, and of course enjoying the scenic beauty of Portugal.
Thursday we will kick off the day with a run of 3-6 miles (but you can go longer or shorter if needed). We’ll start with some warm-up drills and get you own your way. We will then have dinner and a short social get together to get to know each other.
Friday is 6 to 12 miles or an optional track session. Saturday is when we do a longer run.
Before each run we will have a dynamic warm-up session (teaching you how to do each move) and after the runs we will have active stretching sessions.
We will return to the hotel for showers and lunch, followed by lectures on nutrition, training and injury prevention and also 1-on-1 coaching sessions (which includes an analysis of your running form).
Later in the afternoon we will have strength training or drills sessions and of course solo time for you to nap and relax.
On Saturday afternoon, we will head to Albufeira to take a boat ride to see the majestic cliffs and caves and explore the city.
This exact itinerary is subject to change, but will be mostly what we follow.
What Type of Runner is This Retreat for?
Will I fit in?
Am I fast enough to come to a running retreat? Will there be people my age? I’m worried I won’t fit in…
These are questions we get a lot when we announce the retreat, so let me try to answer them for you.
First, All speeds and experience levels are welcome.
You don’t have to be an elite runner, in your 20’s, or even run fast to fit in with this group.
The RunnersConnect community is filled with all types of runners – young, old, marathoners, 5kers, new to the sport, grizzled veterans and more.
We’re even global – with athletes from 80 different countries.
What we do all have in common is a love for running and a desire to improve, stay healthy and enjoy the sport more!
So, I can almost guarantee you’ll fit in with this retreat and you’ll love the people you meet!
Choose Your Option
Single Occupancy
$1995
For those attending solo.
This includes all nights, food, and transportation while at the retreat.
Due Today: $995
This 50% Deposit is completely refundable until May. We will collect second half of payment in May.
Double Occupancy
$2985
This is for two people (shared bed)
This includes all nights, food, and transportation while at the retreat.
Due Today: $1445
This 50% Deposit is completely refundable until May. We will collect second half of payment in May.
FAQ
We'll do our best to answer most questions here, but feel free to email support@runnersconnect.net if there's anything we haven't covered.
We will give you a 100% refund, no questions asked, up until May. At this point, we need to make our payment for the rooms, so no refunds will be issued after this date.
More than likely, yes. Just let us know in advance what needs you have and we will be sure to accommodate. In 7 years running retreats, we’ve never had a dietary need we couldn’t accommodate.
Unless your race is less than 3 weeks away from the retreat date, then the retreat itself will not interfere with your training. We will work with you to adjust your workouts and make sure you get the most from the retreat.
We usually can accommodate this without issue.
If you want to stay in the same hotel/room in Algarve, as soon as you know you’ll be extending your stay before or after, please let me know so I can confirm with the hotel the extra room.
I will send an extra invoice at the time of the final payment with the extra nights room cost. This will depend on room type and rate for that night (usually between $300-375/night).