For its fifteenth time MIUT – Madeira Island Ultra-Trail is back! The rugged volcanic Portuguese island hosts one of the most important ultra / trail running events in the world and is now part of the Gran Canaria World Trail Majors. Tough, steep slopes, breathtaking natural beauty and in the background, the Atlantic Ocean as a constant backdrop to the scene of the 3500 runners who take on the races in Madeira.
A journey across Madeira
MIUT is not just a race; it is an extraordinary journey that traverses the island from end to end, passing its most famous landmarks with the ocean as a constant backdrop. The first edition was held in 2008 and the race has grown to become a benchmark event, it sells out every year because of its reputation amongst mere mortals and professional athletes alike who recognise it as one of the most desirable destinations on the world calendar of Ultra racing.
58 countries are represented, 3500 runners, of which 3000 travel to the island, along with family and supporters, the event fills the island with the healthy spirit of trail running. MIUT offers multiple race distances, from 16 to 115 km, allowing for a nice challenge for every level of trail runner with the common theme of beautiful and demanding trails to create a memorable experience for everyone who races, with an added advantage of getting to know some of the spectacular secret spots of the island outside of the more touristy areas.
The challenge of MIUT
The queen event is the longest distance, 115 km, known all over the world for its challenging steep slopes and spectacular route. Starting in Porto Moniz and finishing in Machico, it climbs up to the 1760 metre Pico Ruivo, an in total accumulates an elevation gain of 7090 metres, crossing the steep spine of the island, sharing narrow passages with the famous levadas, a series of canals that channelled water from the mountains down to the populated areas and the fields of the foothills.
Many well-known runners have won in Madeira. Previous female winners include: Courtney Dauwalter, Caroline Chaverot, Hillary Allen, Manon Bohard, Andrea Huser, and Mimmi Kotka. Previous male winners include: François D’Haene, Jim Walmsley, Julien Chorier, Zach Miller, and Luís Fernandes. The current records are held by the Americans Jim Walmsley (12:58:14) and Courtney Dauwalter (14:40:35), both from the fast 2022 edition.
Women going for their first victory
The women’s race has a very high level of competition and the fact that none of the favourites have won previously means that motivation will surely be high. Anne Lise Rousset (France, Scott, ITRA 767) starts as favourite after her excellent 2nd place at the Hardrock 100 Endurance Run in 2023, 2nd in the Grand Raid de la Réunion in 2022 and 1st place in Transvulcania 2019. Almost on an equal footing is Martina Valmassoi (Italy, Salomon, 765) with the TDS at UTMB 2022, Transvulcania 2023 and Lavaredo 2021.
French athlete Fiona Porte (La Sportiva, ITRA 759) had an excellent 2023 with victories in Maxi Race, La Sportiva Lavaredo Ultra Trail and second in TDS at UTMB. It will be her first time racing in Madeira, unlike Maite Maiora (Spain, Vibram, 751) who was fourth in 2019, the same position she achieved in her first ultra of the season, Chianti Ultra Trail. Maite’s impressive track record, from VK’s to Ultras, makes her one to watch in every race she takes part in. Aroa Sío (Spain, Craft, 748) aims to restart her season after injury, she has had podiums at The Canyons Endurance Runs by UTMB, Tarawera Ultramarathon and Ultra Trail Cote d’Azur Mercantour make Aroa a more than likely candidate for victory.
Others to watch include Varvara Shikonova (Montenegro, Salomon, ITRA 732) fourth in RMB Ultra-Trail Cape Town and second in Salomon Cappadocia Ultra-Trail; Sandra Sevillano (Spain, Millet, 722) who did not start the season well with withdrawal from The North Face Transgrancanaria, but had a podium finish in Lavaredo 2023; Claire Bannwarth (France, Raidlight, 721) possibly the woman who does the most long distance races in the world annually; and Geneviere Asselin (Canada, On, 710) sixth in Black Canyons Ultras, the second event of the World Trail Majors and she also intends to race in Cape Town. It is sure to be an exciting race for the women.
Too many to choose a favourite in the Men’s race
In the men’s category Miguel Arsénio (Portugal, Sport HG/AML Sport, ITRA 917) is the recent Portuguese ultra champion, winner of the Salomon Ultra Pirineu and was second in Transgrancanaria 2023. Ben Dhiman (USA, Asics, 902) goes to Madeira motivated after an excellent season with victories in the Asics Penyagolosa Trails, Andorra 100 by UTMB and a podium at Festival des Templiers, also podiums at Réunion and Ultra-Tour de Grand Raid des Pyrénées and living and training in the French Pyrenees, Madeira could suit him like a glove.
Three more American athletes following in the footsteps of Zach Miller, Jim Walmsley and Courtney Dauwalter, are Jeff Mogavero (On, 883) with podiums in Run Rabbit Run, The Broken Arrow and Way Too Cool is starting to become a regular in European races; Tyler Green (Nike, 881) third in the inaugural Gran Canaria World Trail Majors, Anta Hong Kong 100 Ultramarathon, so another good result would put him at the top of the general classification; and Richard Lockwood (Norda, 866) victory in Run Rabbit Run and second place in Doi Inthanon Thailand by UTMB, both in 2022.
Other notable runners include Jean Philippe Tschumi (Switzerland, Hoka, ITRA 891) who has two third places in MIUT as well as two podiums in Grand Raid de La Réunion; Benat Marmissolle (France, La Sportiva, 874) with MIUT experience (seventh in 2021) and victories at Réunion (2022), Euskal Trail (2023) and podium at Hardrock 100 Endurance Run; and local hero Luis Fernandes (Portugal, Madeira Ocean & Trails, 872) who won MIUT in 2015 and knows the event like the back of his hand.
Much more than just one race
MIUT is a large event with different distances and elevations. Highlight runners per distance include: 16 km with Tiago Aires (Portugal, ITRA 795) and Olívia De Sousa (Portugal, 634). Marathon with Thomas Balabaud (France, Team Outdoor Poli, 864), Tiago Vieira (Portugal, Big K/Joma, 859), Meg Mackenzie (South Africa, On, 717) and Elisabetta Negra (Italy, 713). The MIUT 60 with Jordi Roy (Spain, Overland/Chance, 840), Pavel Serov (Norway, 819), Rachel Drake (USA, Nike, 768) and Meghan Morgan (USA, La Sportiva, 739). And the MIUT85 with Yanqiao Yun (China, Hoka, 897), Ramon Manetsch (Switzerland, Salomon, 882) and Jordi Gamito (Spain, Brooks, 858) and women Ariane Wilhem (Switzerland, Compressport, 746), Marie-Luis Mühlhuber (Austria, Salomon, 735) and Silvia Puigarnau (Spain, Scarpa, 685).
How to follow MIUT – Madeira Island Ultra-Trail
MIUT – Madeira Island Ultra-Trail will be available on live streaming as well as live tracking and on social media.
Web: https://www.miutmadeira.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/miutmadeira
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/miutmadeira/
X/Twitter: https://twitter.com/miutrail
YouTube/streaming (Portuguese/English): https://www.youtube.com/user/MadeiraUltraTrail
YouTube/streaming (Portuguese/English):
Live tracking: https://ts.uma.pt/Checkpoints/129/327/MIUT%20115
Please see image below for timetable according to time zones:
