Marathon of the Filhos da Freita

Cães D' Avenida began on Avenida do Brasil in 2011 as an informal gathering of runners chasing each other through Porto's streets. Founder João "Pidas" joked that they looked like stray dogs running the avenue, and the name stuck. What started as casual training became something more deliberate: amateur runners who take their races seriously, bound by mutual support and a belief that collective commitment strengthens individual performance. Today the crew counts 180 members, aged 30 to 60, drawn from across Porto's professional and personal worlds. Corporate workers run alongside parents and students, their differences erased by rhythm and shared purpose. Every second Saturday at 9:30 AM, they gather at Foz tennis courts for Mensalão, their monthly 10K training session with pace groups that welcome all speeds.