The Portuguese Island of Madeira is a benchmark location for trail running. A unique geography for the enjoyment of outdoor sports is combined with excellent event organisers, plus the support of the local authorities who understand the benefits of sustainable tourism. The main event of the island is undoubtedly MIUT – Madeira Island Ultra-Trail and Ben Dhiman and Martina Valmassoi wrote their names in the books of the race.
For Gran Canaria World Trail Majors, it was back to back races on opposite sides of the world, as soon as Mt.FUJI 100 was finishing, the starting pistol on the Portuguese island was sounding, a weekend that brought together two of the best ultra trail races, both part of the Gran Canaria World Trail Majors series.
MIUT, traversing Madeira, scaling its summits
The event is made up of five races of between 16 and 115 km, the longest being the most epic and points scoring race for the World Trail Majors. Starting in Porto Moniz at midnight on Friday, after a short warm up on the level, runners tackled the first climb, Fanal, up to an altitude of 1150 metres, the second climb, Estanquinhos, followed soon after and in the first 30 km runners already had over 3000 metres of elevation in their legs. The next key point in the race was at 74 km, the highest point in the race, Pico Ruivo, at 1760 m, runners now had 6080 metres in their legs and this showed on some of the contenders. A long descent and a steep climb at Porto da Cruz delivered the tired runners to Machico after 116 km and 7090 m of elevation.
MIUT is traditionally a race that Americans perform well at, both male and female records are in the possession of Jim Walmsley (12:58:14) and Courtney Dauwalter (14:40:35). Neither of them were in Madeira this year, especially as Courtney was winning in Fuji, but this made the race more open and interesting to follow.
As usual, the island was full to the brim with trail runners and their supporters, the races sold out again for another year with 3500 runners from all over the world. Families get to spend a few days on holiday and everyone can be involved in one of the best trail running events in the world.
But Madeira decided this year decided it was going to be a tough one.
Dhiman wins with style in MIUT
The absence of a clear favourite in the men’s race made it more exciting. A compact group raced together on the first climb and although some of the challengers tailed of as the kilometres went by, the pace seemed to be sustainable for a few contenders including Ben Dhiman (USA, Unidos, Asics), Miguel Arsénio (Portugal, Sport HG/AML Sport), Arthur Joyeux-Bouillon (France, On), Jeff Mogavero (USA, On) and Luis Fernandes (Portugal, Madeira Ocean & Trails). The night has been very challenging with strong rains and chilly section in the top of the mountains that also made it slower.
The race became attritional as runners dropped by the wayside, unable to hold the pace at the front. It was the case of Arsénio. Meanwhile, others emerged like Sebastian Krogvig (Norway, Dynafit), Martin Kern (France, Arc’teryx) or Anthony Costa (France, Team 2EP). By Pico Ruivo, Dhiman leaded over Krogvig, 15’ split among them. The long downhill with hundreds of steps lead the runners to a more gentle terrain where the differences were almost stable.
Through Portela at 95 km the time gaps were not definitive, but in Porto da Cruz at 101 km and with Machico in sight it was clear that the winner would be Ben Dhiman who crossed the finish line in a time of 13:52:46. “It was very challenging, difficut race, technical, violent with the setps, a learning experience for me”. Probably his best win after others in Andorra, Canfranc and Penyagolosa and podiums on Reunion and Templiers.
Second went to Martin Kern in a time of 14:15:23 and completing the podium Anthony Costa 15 seconds later (!). Following home in order were the Portuguese Nelson Santos (Runners do Demo), fifth Jeff Mogavero and sixth the local hero Luis Fernandes.
Martina Valmassoi, Queen of MIUT in a tough race
As we said in the pre-race build up, the women’s race was going to be interesting, no runner with a clear advantage, so once again, and this is becoming common, it was the most exciting. Anne-Lise Rousset (France, Scott), Martina Valmassoi (Italy, Salomon), Fiona Porte (Italy, La Sportiva), Maite Maiora (Spain, Vibram) and Aroa Sío (Spain, Craft) were the favourites, an excellent line-up for a race that promised to be very competitive.
From the start, Valmassoi, Rousset and Maiorawere in contention for the lead, running together or with small gaps, with Sandra Sevillano (Spain, Millet), Robyn Cassidy (UK, Nil) y Claire Bannwarth (France, RaidLight) at some distance. The fight between Valmassoi and Rousset opened the gap with Maiora. The tough night paid price for Rousset who lost ground with Valmassoi, while Maiora consolidated the third in favour of Sío and Bannwarth.
With no opposition left to challenge and with a comfortable gap, a smiling, but tired Martina Valmassoi arrived on the streets of Machico and won her first MIUT in a time of 16:14:10. 14 minutes later came Anne-Louis Rousset for a well-earned second place and Spaniard Maite Maiora for a hard fought third.
Full results and streaming
MIUT – Madeira Island Ultra-Trail (MIUT115): Full results
You can relive the streaming on Gran Canaria World Trail Majors YouTube channel, here.
