Oh Meu Deus by UTMB
Oh Meu Deus by UTMB – Oh Meu Deus 100K
Seia
Race guide
Updated 18 July 2026
The Oh Meu Deus 100K is the queen distance of Oh Meu Deus by UTMB, a 94 km loop from Seia that climbs 4,870 m through the heart of Portugal's Serra da Estrela. Its defining feature is the ascent to Torre at 59.4 km, where the course reaches its high point of 1,895 m - the roof of mainland Portugal's highest range - before a long return through the mountain villages to finish back in Seia. With 4,870 m of vertical over 94 km and a course that runs from a start in Seia through to a Sunday 02:00 finish cut-off, this is a full mountain ultra. The route is bookended by long valley approaches and a savage central climb, so it rewards runners who can hold discipline early and still climb strongly deep into the race. Treat it as an all-day-and-night effort, not a fast 100 km.
The course and terrain
From Seia at 517 m the route first drops to Vila Cova a Coelheira at 9.7 km (360 m), climbs to Sazes da Beira (18.3 km, 600 m), then rolls through Cabeca (37.1 km, 573 m) and Alvoco da Serra (50.6 km, 745 m) before the big push to Torre at 59.4 km and 1,895 m. After the summit the course plunges to Loriga (70.4 km, 740 m), traverses to Lapa dos Dinheiros (84 km, 706 m) and closes with a final leg back to Seia at 507 m. The shape is clear from the numbers: the first 50 km stays in the 360-745 m band, delivering its climbing in repeated valley-to-village pitches, and then the race throws its single defining ascent at you past halfway. The Serra da Estrela's terrain is granite and stone - rocky mountain paths, technical descents and exposed high ground near Torre - so the total 4,870 m of D+ is earned on ground that punishes tired feet as much as tired legs.
Where the race is won and lost
The crux is the climb to Torre. Alvoco da Serra at 50.6 km sits at 745 m; Torre at 59.4 km sits at 1,895 m - roughly 1,150 m of gain in under 9 km, and it comes after fifty kilometres already in the legs. This is the section that defines finishing times and DNFs alike. Arrive at Alvoco having run within yourself, eat and drink properly there, and commit to a steady power-hike up rather than a hero effort. The second decisive stretch is the long descent off Torre to Loriga (70.4 km, 740 m) - about 1,150 m of drop that can wreck quads that were spent on the way up. Loriga and then Lapa dos Dinheiros (84 km) are both crew points, so they are your recovery anchors for the final third. The closing 10 km from Lapa dos Dinheiros back down to Seia at 507 m is where a runner who protected their legs on the Torre descent can still move well; those who trashed them will walk it in.
How to pace and fuel it
Use the cut-off ladder to build your race: Vila Cova a Coelheira Sat 02:30, Sazes da Beira 04:00, Cabeca 09:30, Alvoco da Serra 13:30, Torre 17:00, Loriga 20:00, Lapa dos Dinheiros Sun 00:30, and Seia 02:00. The generous gap of nearly nine hours between Alvoco (13:30) and the Loriga/Lapa gates reflects how slow the Torre climb and descent really are - budget time there and do not panic if your average pace collapses on that section. Aid spacing runs to 13-19 km between stations, so carry capacity for long unsupported legs, especially the 13.5 km from Alvoco da Serra into the Torre climb where you will burn the most calories of the day. Cabeca (37.1 km), Alvoco da Serra (50.6 km), Loriga (70.4 km) and Lapa dos Dinheiros (84 km) are all crew points - stage food, fresh flasks, lights and warm layers there. Eat consistently on the long valley approaches while it is easy, so you reach Torre with fuel in the system rather than trying to claw calories back on the descent.
Conditions to expect
The race runs deep into a second night - the finish cut-off is Sunday 02:00 - so most runners will face two periods of darkness and the temperature swings that come with a 1,895 m summit. Torre is the highest point of mainland Portugal's principal range and is fully exposed; wind, cold and poor visibility are realistic even when the valleys below are mild. Carry a proper mountain layer, gloves, hat and a reliable headtorch with spare batteries, and expect the summit section to feel far colder than the villages. Lower down, the valley legs between Seia, Vila Cova and Cabeca can be warm by day, so you will be managing a wide comfort range across the loop. The footing throughout is rocky and technical, and the long Torre descent to Loriga demands care by torchlight. Plan your kit changes around the crew points at Alvoco, Loriga and Lapa dos Dinheiros, adding warmth before Torre and shedding it once you are back down among the villages.
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Checkpoints & cut-offs
✓ Course data verified against the official source (2026-07-17) · official source
0 km · 517 m · —
9.7 km · 360 m · Sat 02:30
18.3 km · 600 m · Sat 04:00
37.1 km · 573 m · Sat 09:30
50.6 km · 745 m · Sat 13:30
59.4 km · 1895 m · Sat 17:00
70.4 km · 740 m · Sat 20:00
84 km · 706 m · Sun 00:30
93.9 km · 507 m · Sun 02:00
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