MIUT MADEIRA ISLAND ULTRA TRAIL 2024. Victories for Dhiman and Valmasssoi. WORLD TRAIL MAJORS

Posted by Corriendo la Vida on April 28, 2024 in madeira island ultra trail, madeira island ultra trail 2024, miut 2024, trail running, trail running 2024, trail running calendar 2024, trail running spain, world trail majors, world trail majors 2024

MIUT MADEIRA ISLAND ULTRA TRAIL 2024. Victories for Dhiman and Valmasssoi. WORLD TRAIL MAJORS. Our ULTRA TRAIL brings to us the results of the MIUT, the race in the Portuguese Island of Madeira.

This weekend we had two races on opposite sides of the world, Mt.FUJI 100 and MIUT – Madeira Island Ultra-Trail, where won Ben Dhiman and Martina Valmassoi.

MIUT MADEIRA ISLAND ULTRA TRAIL 2024

results Victories for Dhiman and Valmasssoi

WORLD TRAIL MAJORS

This year, as the Mt. FUJI 100 event concluded, the MIUT kicked off on the opposite side of the world, a weekend of ultra trail races, both integral parts of the Gran Canaria World Trail Majors series.

MIUT offers five distinct races, ranging from 16 to 115 kilometers, with the longest route being points scoring race for the World Trail Majors. Beginning in Porto Moniz at midnight, runners embarked on a grueling journey, conquering daunting climbs and rugged terrain. By the time they reached the 74-kilometer mark at Pico Ruivo, the highest point of the race, competitors had already endured over 6000 meters of elevation gain, pushing their limits to the max. 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.

Although absent this year, American trail running legends Jim Walmsley and Courtney Dauwalter hold the course records. With a sold-out field of 3500 runners from around the world, MIUT showcased the spirit of trail running.

Photo World TRail Majors

Male race

The absence of a clear favorite heightened the suspense in the men’s division of the MIUT 2024 race. As runners tackled the challenging terrain of Madeira, a competitive group emerged, including contenders like Ben Dhiman (USA, Unidos, Asics), Miguel Arsénio (Portugal, Sport HG/AML Sport), and Arthur Joyeux-Bouillon (France, On), Jeff Mogavero (USA, On) and Luis Fernandes (Portugal, Madeira Ocean & Trails).

Despite facing adverse weather conditions, with strong rains and chilly mountain sections slowing the pace. 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). Dhiman maintained his lead, with 15 minutes, pursued by Sebastian Krogvig (Norway, Dynafit) by the time they reached the grueling Pico Ruivo climb.

Navigating the challenging downhill sections and maintaining his pace, Dhiman surged ahead, crossing the finish line in a time of 13:52:46. Reflecting on his victory, Dhiman described the race as a “It was very challenging, difficut race, technical, violent with the setps, a learning experience for me“.

Sebastian Krogvig secured second place with a time of 14:12:54, closely followed by Martin Kern, who completed the podium less than three minutes later. Rounding out the top finishers were Anthony Costa, Nelson Santos (Portugal, Runners do Demo), Jeff Mogavero, and local hero Luis Fernandes.

Photo World TRail Majors

female 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-Lise Rousset for a well-earned second place and Spaniard Maite Maiora for a hard fought third.

Photo World TRail Majors

The Races

MIUT 115

The standout challenge of the event is the longest distance, spanning 115 km, renowned globally for its rugged terrain and breathtaking route. Beginning at Porto Moniz and culminating in Machico, it ascends to the lofty heights of 1760 meters at Pico Ruivo, accumulating an impressive 7090 meters of elevation gain along the way. Traversing the island’s rugged spine, it shares its path with the iconic levadas, historic channels that once channeled mountain water to the island’s settlements and fields.

The female victors in Madeira have showcased exceptional talent, including names like Courtney Dauwalter, Caroline Chaverot, Hillary Allen, Manon Bohard, Andrea Huser, and Mimmi Kotka. Among the men, champions such as François D’Haene, Jim Walmsley, Julien Chorier, Zach Miller, and Luís Fernandes have left their mark. Notable winners include Nerea Martínez, alongside revered podium finishers like Tòfol Canstanyer, Pau Capell, and Jordi Gamito.

The current course records stand at an impressive 12:58:14 for Jim Walmsley and 14:40:35 for Courtney Dauwalter, both set during the lightning-fast 2022 edition.

MIUT 85. Around 85 km / 4700 D+

The departure of the MIUT 85 race will be given at 07:00 (7:00 a.m.) on the 27th of April 2024, in center of São Vicente towards Lombo da Achada do Til, Ribeira Grande before the arrival at Encumeada, where the route enters the Central mountainous massif, but not before making an incursion to Curral das Freiras, before facing the mythical peaks, Ruivo and Areeiro. From there, the route is mostly downwards, with passages at Chão da Lagoa, Portela, Porto da Cruz, Larano foothpath towards the levada of Caniçal, with a previous passage at Boca do Risco. The final part is along a levada having Machico in sight, with the finish line at the Forum Machico.

MIUT 60. Around 60 km / 3100 D+

The departure of the MIUT 60 race will be given at 09:00 (9:00 a.m.) on the 27th of April 2024, in the center of Boaventura towards Lombo do Urzal, then uphill to Boca das Torrinhas where the route enters the Central mountainous massif before facing the mythical peaks, Ruivo and Areeiro. From there, the route is mostly downwards, with passages at Chão da Lagoa, Portela, Porto da Cruz, Larano foothpath towards the levada of Caniçal, with a previous passage at Boca do Risco. The final part is along a levada having Machico in sight, with the finish line at the Forum Machico.

MIUT 42. Around 42 km / 1700 D+

The start of the MIUT 42 race will be at 11:00 (11 a.m.) of the 27th of April 2024, in Monte – Funchal, departing towards Chão da Lagoa, passing on the way in Terreiro da Luta, Pico Alto then entering in Parque Ecológico do Funchal till Casa do Burro. From there, the route is mostly downwards, with passages at Chão da Lagoa, Portela, Porto da Cruz, Larano foothpath towards the levada of Caniçal, with a previous passage at Boca do Risco. The final part is along a levada having Machico in sight, with the finish line at the Forum Machico

MIUT 16. Around 16 Km / 390 D+

The departure of the MIUT 16 race will be given at 08:00 (08:00 a.m.) on the 28th of April 2024, in the centre of Porto da Cruz towards the foothpath of Larano that will take participants to the levada of Caniçal, with a previous passage at Boca do Risco. The final phase, along a levada, will have the backdrop of the Machico valley, with the finish line at the Forum Machico.

WORLD TRAIL MAJORS 2024

1. Hong Kong 100 Ultramarathon: January 18-21, 2024. 102 km, +5314 m. Hong Kong, China. one of the events that internationalized trail running in China
2. Black Canyon Ultras: February 10-11, 2024. 100 km, +1250 m. Phoenix, Arizona, United States. Pure American trail running on old ethnic trails and stagecoaches
3. The North Face Transgrancanaria: February 21-25, 2024. 126 km, +6804 m. Canary Islands, Spain. One of the classics on the world trail running calendar
4. Mt.FUJI 100: April 26-27, 2024. 165 km, +7574 m. Fujiyoshida, Japan. Japanese-style trail running with the great symbolic meaning of the highest mountain in the country
5. MIUT – Madeira Island Ultra-Trail: April 27-28, 2024. 115 km, +7100 m. Madeira, Portugal. Iconic event on the spectacular island of Madeira
6. Swiss Canyon Trail: June 7-9, 2024. 111 km, +5350 m. Val de Travers, Switzerland. Originating in 1994, one of the most relevant tests in Central Europe
7. South Downs Way 100: June 8-9, 2024. 161 km, +3800 m. Winchester, United Kingdom. 100 miles following the historic South Downs Way route is a classic on the British calendar
8. Quebec Mega Trail: July 5-7, 2024. 160 km, +6500 m. Quebec, Canada. Authentic trail running in the mountains near Quebec
9. RMB Ultra-Trail Cape Town: November 22-24, 2024. 166 km, +7516 m. Cape Town, South Africa. Pure mountains next to one of the most cosmopolitan cities in Africa