António Teixeira Duarte

An engineer by training and by destiny, António Carlos Teixeira Duarte began his career in 1985, working in project development. Over the years, he has coordinated several teams involved in developing projects and implementing new working methods, particularly through the use of specialised software. His experience led him to represent Teixeira Duarte in several working groups of the Portuguese Construction Technology Platform (PTPC), particularly in the fields of digital transition and Building Information Modelling (BIM).

But António Teixeira Duarte is much more than a leading figure in Portuguese engineering. Above all, he is a man committed to causes and to his territory, who found in trail running the perfect way to combine his passion for sport with a profound respect for Portugal’s historical memory.

It was through his drive and vision that the Running Challenge Linhas de Torres and Linhas de Torres 100 events were born, transforming the old military routes built to defend Lisbon into a setting for athletic endeavour. An experienced athlete with an intimate knowledge of the region’s ridges and valleys, António Teixeira Duarte does more than organise these events: he runs, experiences and promotes these trails, believing that the best way to preserve heritage is to experience it fully.

Over the years, he has helped consolidate events that now combine trail running, cultural tourism, sustainability and solidarity, bringing together municipalities, the armed forces, associations and hundreds of Portuguese and international participants.

In this conversation, we leave suits and offices behind, lace up our running shoes and head for the forts. We discover what drives the man who decided to transform Europe’s greatest feat of military engineering into a ‘stadium’ of endurance, where every kilometre tells a story of freedom.

How did the idea of creating the Running Challenge Linhas de Torres come about? Did it grow out of a desire to bring together your passion for sport and the heritage that surrounds you in your everyday life?
The event was born from an invitation by Engineer Leiria Pinto to devise a running event combining sport with a charitable component, something that has always been a strong part of the identity of Clube do Stress [Stress Club]. Years earlier, we had organised the Unir para Sorrir [Unite to Smile] initiative, running from Porto to Lisbon in 37 hours to raise funds for ten vehicles to transport people with disabilities. I accepted this new challenge and, while looking for appealing routes for group running, came across the Bicentenary Commemorations of the Lines of Torres Vedras. It was the perfect click. That historical milestone was the result of exemplary collaboration between the region’s six municipalities through the Inter-municipal Platform of the Lines of Torres Vedras (PILT), which today forms the basis of the Historical Route of the Lines of Torres Vedras. That is how the event came about: through the natural combination of physical challenge, solidarity and the immense wealth of heritage that surrounds us.

Do you remember the moment when, exploring these trails, you realised that this setting had the potential to become the backdrop for one of Portugal’s leading events?
It was during our very first reconnaissance runs, along the banks of the River Lizandro, that I realised the enormous potential of the Great Route of the Lines of Torres Vedras. Initially, ‘Linhas de Torres — 200 Years — 100 km’ was conceived as a one-off event. Its success, however, forced us to reconsider our plans, and we decided to turn it into an annual sporting, cultural and charitable event.

Its growth was remarkable: in 2014, the Corrida Espírito de Aliança [Spirit of Alliance Race] received exceptional media coverage in the press and on television. In 2016, the year we moved to a competitive format, we had the enthusiastic participation of six relay teams from the Military Academy and were honoured by the presence of a delegation from the Royal Engineers. After a three-year hiatus, we celebrated the revival of the project with a toast of Bucelas Arinto sparkling wine, spurred on by a decisive agreement between the Ministry of National Defence, the General Staff of the Armed Forces, the Armed Forces Disabled Association (ADFA), Xistarca, the RHLT and the Portuguese Endurance Riding Association.

The year 2021 became a golden milestone, with the introduction of the 42 km Marathon — which included an unprecedented and successful equestrian event — and the inclusion of the race in the prestigious calendar of the International Military Sports Council (CISM) through the ‘CISM Military Ultra Trail Marathon Challenge’. Since then, this international recognition has brought dozens of foreign military delegations to our region, consolidating the event as a genuine national and international benchmark.

The following year, recognising its strong contribution to sports tourism and to promoting the region, the Historical Route of the Lines of Torres Vedras distinguished the project with the ‘Wellington Honour’ award in the Sport and Adventure category. I had the honour of receiving the award and the opportunity to present it personally to Colonel Contramestre, President of the Physical Education and Military Sports Commission, in whose trophy room it now stands.

A few years later, you embraced a new challenge by creating Linhas de Torres 100 (LT100). This Ultra-Trail is a test of physical and mental endurance. What goes through a runner’s mind as they cross the trails and forts where, 200 years ago, the Portuguese people made such sacrifices in defence of their country’s sovereignty?
In 2024, following the success of the international military component, the Running Challenge organisers decided to concentrate their efforts on the Marathon, the distance that most appeals to foreign delegations, and dropped the 100 km race. Believing there was considerable sporting value in retaining an Ultra-Trail of this distance close to Lisbon, and aware of the enormous strength of the ‘Linhas de Torres’ name, the Trilhos do Costume Sports Association decided to continue the project in which it was already involved.

The extraordinary achievements involved in building and defending the Lines are explained to the athletes through the promotion of the event — which includes a conference devoted to the subject — and during reconnaissance training sessions, so history is very much present in everyone’s subconscious. During the race itself, which is extremely demanding, the mind becomes divided: you have to manage your effort, the weather, food and hydration. Some focus on their position relative to their rivals; others on capturing the best photographs of the landscape. On the flatter, less technically demanding stretches, conversations with companions met along the way feed thoughts that wander freely between memories and plans for the future.

Do you feel that athletes taking part in these events come purely for the competition, or do you see a growing respect and curiosity for the history of the French invasions as they make their way through the forts?
There is enormous diversity among the participants, but, broadly speaking, we have succeeded in awakening a genuine interest in what happened here more than two centuries ago. The remarkable historical setting we create makes a decisive contribution to that success. We are joined by the Serra do Socorro Telegraph demonstration group and the 13 de Setembro de 1913 Association — through its Artilheiros do Sobral and Guerrilha de Montagraço groups. By bringing the starts of the different races, the checkpoints and the shared finish line to life, these re-enactors transform the competition into a genuine journey through time, where respect for history can be felt with every kilometre.

These events have helped strengthen regional identity, with the races crossing several municipalities, including Arruda dos Vinhos, Loures, Mafra, Sobral de Monte Agraço, Torres Vedras and Vila Franca de Xira. How has cooperation with these communities worked?
The cooperation of the six municipal councils has been absolutely exemplary. At every edition, they all respond promptly to our requests and propose solutions based on their profound knowledge of the territory. This complementarity of efforts deserves particular praise, effortlessly transcending any differences in political leadership. This collaborative spirit extends magnificently to the parish councils, clubs and local associations throughout the region we have crossed over the years, proving that the Lines of Torres Vedras remain a unifying force and a powerful element of regional identity.

How do you view the role of sport as an ‘ambassador’ for stories and places that many are still unaware of?
I see sport as one of the most powerful and democratic ambassadors for heritage. Many people who would never pick up a history book to study the French invasions discover the territory simply by putting on their running shoes. Sport has the unique ability to take people to hidden places, on mountain tops or deep in valleys, where forts and military structures lie. Long-distance races also attract the participants’ families, bringing a whole range of new visitors to the region. By combining physical effort and family companionship in an immersive cultural experience, we create an emotional bond between the athlete and the land. They cease to be merely a sports person and become, together with their family, ambassadors for our history, carrying the story of the Lines of Torres Vedras far beyond the region’s borders.

If you had to choose one particular stretch or fort, which one moves you most when you run it?
Among so many wonderful memories, I would choose the Serra de Serves. Anyone beginning the climb from the banks of the Tagus naturally walks with their back to the river, and therefore cannot see the magnificent landscape gradually unfolding behind them. But once we have gained some height and turn around to enjoy the view over the floodplain and the estuary, the sight is breathtaking. When we reach the top, the horizon opens up to reveal great green valleys surrounded by the heights where the forts of the Lines were strategically positioned. It is a genuinely moving moment.

António is known for his role at the Teixeira Duarte Group. How do the discipline of long-distance trail running and the resilience these events require influence the way you lead — or vice versa?
For many of us, running is the most important of the things that are not really important. Training is part of a healthy lifestyle, and races provide the incentive to keep it up. In fact, the demanding preparation required for long-distance trail running develops two qualities that are vital in the business world: organisation and endurance, while also encouraging a clearer perception of reality and human relationships. On the other hand, the discipline I have been accustomed to since childhood, combined with the good fortune of working with outstanding professional teams at Teixeira Duarte, has given me the mental framework I need to achieve the sporting goals I set myself. It is a virtuous circle in which corporate and sporting resilience feed one another.

What is your training routine like in the hills of the Lines of Torres Vedras defensive system?
As I live in Lisbon — the city whose port the Lines defended against Napoleon’s ambitions — my regular training takes place in the streets and parks of the capital. However, particularly between 2011 and 2021, I did countless training sessions in the region itself, where reconnaissance of the routes was more important than developing sporting performance. Sometimes with one or two friends, sometimes through larger groups organised via Facebook, we managed to explore the entire region while simultaneously creating a network of people interested in these historic routes. Nowadays, at my level, a very long training session in the region from time to time is enough to maintain my ability to take part in endurance events. I also maintain that level by participating in various local races and informal events organised by running clubs in the region.

The Running Challenge is now an established event. What is the next goal? Is there an ambition to make Linhas de Torres 100 an undisputed fixture on the international ultra-trail calendar?
As part of its natural evolution, since 2024 the Running Challenge has been organised by the Ministry of National Defence and rests on three pillars: the International Military component, the National Military Championship and races open to civilians under the name Trail Linhas de Torres. The quality of these international competitions and their inclusion in the CISM (International Military Sports Council) calendar make a significant contribution to Portugal’s international profile.

The outlook for Linhas de Torres 100 is equally favourable. The Lisbon Athletics Association is to create the District Ultra Endurance Trail Circuit, comprising the Demónios do Lizandro event and our own race. This will attract the most competitive athletes and their teams, giving us the scale we need to expand our international promotion, from which we hope to reap excellent results.

For someone who has never run these trails and looks at the challenging slopes of Socorro or Alqueidão, what words of encouragement would you offer for the next edition?
I would tell them to approach it with complete confidence. In addition to all the historical and heritage wealth surrounding the route, there are two very practical aspects that make this a unique experience for any athlete. The first is that, although there may be some mud, the terrain is always runnable — even if managing your effort means you cannot always actually run it. The second is comfort: all our aid stations are housed in permanent facilities. This provides considerable privacy and convenience in the areas where athletes take the opportunity to change their kit or use the toilet. It is a demanding challenge, but one designed with great care to support the runner.

Invade magazine celebrates the heritage of the Lines of Torres Vedras, a gigantic feat of military engineering. As an engineer, how do you view these fortifications? Are you personally fascinated by the way the terrain was shaped to defend the country two centuries ago?
As an engineer, I find this monumental achievement absolutely extraordinary. The effectiveness of the system resulted from a coherent and very well-structured set of principles, which allowed the work to be carried out by a largely agricultural workforce in a very short period of time. People from throughout the region to the north, as well as inhabitants south of the Lines and as far as the Setúbal Peninsula, worked within an exemplary rotational system to build this defensive complex of forts, escarpments and communication routes. Each technical solution depended heavily on the local topography and geology. The result was a series of structures which, although designed for a temporary military campaign, were so well built that they have survived to the present day.

Nature and historical tourism are growing in the territory of the Lines of Torres Vedras. Do you believe modern engineering can help preserve this heritage by creating infrastructure that makes it more accessible without compromising its character?
Yes. Modern engineering is now an indispensable ally in reconciling accessibility with heritage conservation. Several branches of engineering work actively with local communities, historians and archaeologists. Today, we have technologies ranging from 3D scanning — essential for monitoring structures and creating virtual reality experiences — to autonomous lighting systems. New access infrastructure and other structures can also be built using environmentally compatible and reversible materials, making it possible to enhance the territory and bring it closer to the public without ever compromising its character.

Teixeira Duarte is known for a corporate culture that embraces social responsibility. How does the Group interact with the local communities in which it operates? Is there a concern with leaving an ‘intangible legacy’ — through cultural or social support — in the regions where you work?
The Teixeira Duarte Group regards social responsibility as a strategic investment based on a balance between people, the environment and business, with the aim of leaving a legacy focused on job creation, training and local development.

In Angola, inspired by the Chinese proverb ‘teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime’, Teixeira Duarte created the ‘Fazer Pescar’ initiative ten years ago. It is a free training programme followed by employment, which has already helped more than 850 young people enter the labour market. They now represent around 10% of the Group’s total workforce in the country.

Also in Angola, the ‘Clube de Produtores Maxi’, created 14 years ago, supports around 40 agricultural producers through specialised training, technical assistance, and the collection and transport of produce. The initiative has established a robust, high-quality local supply chain which now accounts for 65% of sales in the Fruit & Vegetables category at our Maxi stores.

In Brazil, we run the ‘Mãos que Constroem um Mundo Melhor’ programme, involving 140 company volunteers. Through initiatives focusing on inclusion, skills development and improving living conditions, the project has already benefited around 12,000 people — children, young people and adults — living in the areas surrounding our construction projects.

In addition to these three high-impact programmes, the Group runs cross-cutting initiatives such as ‘Todos Doamos’, which supports institutions through the direct involvement of employees under a ‘1=3’ model — in other words, for every euro raised by employees, the Group contributes a further two euros. Another important initiative is the ‘Dar Vida’ programme, which facilitates voluntary, regular blood donation by our employees, actively helping to address shortages of blood reserves in challenging markets such as Angola and Mozambique.

The motto of Invade magazine is ‘Change your destination where we changed Napoleon’s’. What do you consider this region’s greatest ‘asset’ for those seeking quality of life away from major urban centres such as Lisbon?
This region certainly has unique qualities. Its greatest asset for anyone seeking quality of life outside Lisbon rests on a triangle that is hard to beat: the diversity of its terrain, the richness of its heritage and the excellent quality of life offered by its towns. We are talking about a remarkable territory that brings together sea and land, sun and shade, vineyards and reed beds. It is a place where motorways coexist with walking trails, and listed heritage sits alongside deeply welcoming corners. Choosing this region as your destination means choosing the best of both worlds.

Finally, if you had to invite someone to ‘invade’ the region of the Lines of Torres Vedras in the best possible sense, what place or experience simply could not be left off the itinerary?
It would depend on the profile of the visitor, so the itinerary I suggested would have to be tailored accordingly, but it would always include experiences in several municipalities. I would begin with a stop in Mafra to admire its imposing UNESCO-listed ensemble, comprising the National Palace, Basilica, Convent, Cerco Garden and Tapada. Then I would have a lunch of grilled food at ‘O Fuso’, in Arruda dos Vinhos. Further west, I would suggest visiting the Bucelas Wine and Vineyard Centre, which also houses the Loures Interpretation Centre of the Lines of Torres Vedras. I would also recommend a trip aboard the traditional varino boat ‘Liberdade’ to observe the extraordinarily rich wildlife of the estuary and, inevitably, whether walking or running, a visit to the emblematic forts of Alqueidão, São Vicente and Zambujal.