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Tag Archives: funchal
Ultra Skymarathon Madeira #USM 2017 Summary – Migu Run Skyrunner® World Series
A little rain is never a great way to start a day, particularly when you have 55km of tough, challenging and mountain terrain to get over – the Ultra Skymarathon Madeira, the next race in the Migu Run Skyrunner® World Series started today at 0600 from the town of Santana.
Hillary Allen had flown in from USA and after placing 2nd last year was looking for some sun and the top rung on the podium. Obstacle racing world champion and Skyrunner Series World Champion for the Extreme distance Jon Albon, was looking for a little mud, colder temperatures and was more than happy with a little rain.
Weaving up and down mountains, around beaches, through dense undergrowth, up a riverbed and of course plenty of climbing and descending, the USM course is a unique one – It’s not an ordinary Skyrunning course!
The USM has a brutal start to the day, just 1km to warm up and then a climb of 1400m. Head torches illuminated the trail and light persistent rain followed the runners until they broke through the cloud – on the other side, blue skies and a different day.
A section of via ferrata at around 6km was followed by a little descending and a final push for the highest point of the day. Aurelien Dunand-Pallaz from France was the first to arrive and yes, it was somewhat of a surprise. He was closely followed by Russian Dimitry Mityaev and Jon Albon.
For the ladies, Hillary Allen was making her presence felt with a convincing lead of Ekaterina Mityaev and then Anna Frost followed some time later.
Descending over the summit, the cloud inversion was clearly visible – the landscape awe-inspiring. It was quite special to see so many mountains and trails all above the cloud.
Running the ridges and several more climbing sections, the front of the race didn’t change until they returned to the coast.
A descent to the sea was followed by a steep short climb and then another descent which was followed by a section of riverbed littered with boulders. Albon made his move, the obstacle course world champion was in his element and he pulled away from the Frenchman with ease. At first opening a slender gap but on the steep climb that followed, the Englishman who lives in Norway but the hammer down realizing a course record was possible. Albon crossed the line obliterating the old record of 6-hours 28-second setting a benchmark 5-hours 45-minutes.
Dunand-Pallaz held on for 2nd also breaking the old course record in 5-hours 55-minutes and Mityaev placed 3rd in 6-hours 7-minutes.
Allen’s wish came true – in the closing kilometers from the river bed, she extended her lead over the Russian and took top honors in 7-hours 4-minutes, her time just outside the course record.
Mityaev placed 2nd but looked exhausted and dehydrated when she crossed the line – a great weekend double for her! The previous day she had won the Santana Vertical Kilometer. Frost was expected next but news came in she had withdrawn on the beach section therefore opening the doorway for Catalan runner Eli Bertran. Mityaev and Bertran finished in 7-hours 34-minutes and 8-hours 35-minutes respectively.
‘USM is one of if not the hardest race I have ever done. It was relentless terrain of ups and downs, the variety is incredible and I loved the river bed section,” said Albon. ‘This race is up there with my all-time favourites. I will definitely be back!’
Attention now turns to Lugano next weekend were the Migu Run Skyrunner® World Series continues with the Scenic Trail K113.
2017 Calendar HERE
Episode 122 – Kostelnick – Sandes – Morgan
Episode 122 of Talk Ultra and we have a 1 hour interview with Pete Kostelnick all about his amazing, record breaking run across the USA. Ryan Sandes talks Raid de la Reunion and Casey Morgan talks about Madeira’s EcoTrail Funchal and the Everest Trail Race. The show is co-hosted by my good buddy from the Twin Cities, Kurt Decker.
RUNNING BEYOND BOOK is now published and available worldwide HERE
00:16:43 NEWS
CLEANSPORT COLLECTIVE http://cleansport.org
Professional pledge
- I pledge to honor myself, competitors, sponsors, sport and society by choosing to stay clean of performance enhancing drugs. Choosing to not play by the rules steals from hard working athletes who choose to do the right thing and challenges the health and integrity of sport. I will be a positive example in the community as an advocate and ambassador for clean sport. I pledge that I have and will always train clean, compete clean and live clean.
- I agree to be an outspoken advocate of clean sport
- I agree to donate $25,000 to CSC charity partner if I ever test positive
*plus other pledges for brands, amateurs etc
Lanes of Change
Awareness
We are in this together. The more voices that speak in unity, the stronger we are.
Testing
It is time to intervene. Through our partners, we will support, aid and equip current drug testing regimes with the best and most updated tools and research.
Advocacy
We are a community with purpose. It is about the ecosystem of sport working together. We want it to be known that we support people over performances, and we celebrate honesty, integrity and transparency above all.
Restoration
We are human, and we all make mistakes. Together with our partners, we provide a safe place for those who have doped or spoke out against those that have.
IAU TRAIL WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS
- Luis Alberto Hernando 8:20
- Nicolas Martin 8:30
- Benoit Cori 8:30
- Caroline Chaverot 9:39 – for me, THE ultra runner of the year!
- Azara Garcia 9:44
- Ragna Debats 9:47
VK FULLY
- Nadir Maguet 30:17
- Urban Zemmer 30:28
- Marco Moletto 30:28 and Kilian Jornet 30:33
- Christel Dewalle 35:57
- Beatrice Delflorian 38:42
- Serena Vittori 39:04
TEMPLIERS 76K
Miguel Heras (Spain). Now 41 years old, Heras turned back the clock with his second-straight win, adding to September victory at Ultra Pirineu. Here, Heras overtook Jared Hazen (U.S.) with some 6k to go to win in 6:45. Hazen used a mid-race surge to break things open and then held on for second in 6:49. Cedric Fleureton (France) was third in 6:56.
Jasmin Nunige (Switzerland) won Ultravasan for the second time, and went on to run 8:00 here for the win, improving on last year’s finish by four minutes. Yngvild Kaspersen (Norway) stepped up in distance and ran strong for a second-place 8:13. I Núria Picas (Spain), who had seesawed with Kaspersen throughout, was third in 8:22.
IAU 24 HOUR
Dan Lawson from the UK took out the win (Dan has placed 3rd at Badwater and 2nd at Spartathlon) with 162 miles – ouch! Ondrej Velicka 2nd with 160 miles.
Maria Jansson set a new European record 155.74 miles – ouch! Patricia Bereznowska was 2nd with 150 miles.
RAID DE LA REUNION
- Francois d’Haene 23:44 that is 3 victories in 4 years
- Antoine Guillon 24:15
- Javi Dominguez 24:36 – who has had an incredible and consistent year
- Andrea Huser 28:00
- Juliette Blanchet 29:26
- Emma Roca 30:10
00:50:00 INTERVIEW with RYAN SANDES
JAVELINA JUNDRED
Zach Bitter 13:30 beating Hal Koerner’s benchmark 13:47
Brett Sanborn 15:15
Ryan Kaiser 16:40
Dana Anderson 21:03
Adela Salt 21:32
Amy Rasor 22:17
Heather Anish Anderson sets new FKT for the 800 mile Arizona Trail – 19 days, 17 hours and 9 minutes
ECOTRAIL FUNCHAL MADEIRA
In the 80km race, Julien Chorier lead from the front and had a stunning day on the trails of Madeira. He arrived in Funchal looking strong. Casey Morgan placed 2nd just 6-minutes behind the Frenchman and Javi Bodas was 3rd, 19-minutes later. For the ladies, Wasmes Wasmes took a conniving victory 14-minutes ahed of Nadia Meroni and Sylvie Benech was 3rd, 1-hour after 2nd place.
01:28:07 INTERVIEW with CASEY MORGAN
DAVE MACKEY – an amazing and inspiring story unfolds
On Monday, October 24, Pete Kostelnick broke the longstanding record for running across the U.S. Kostelnick linked the San Francisco and New York City Halls in 42 days, 6 hours, bettering a 1980 46-day, 8-hour record set by Frank Giannino, Jr. Other than a lone zero-mile day early in the run, Kostelnick knocked out 70-plus miles day after day.
02:05:54 INTERVIEW PETE KOSTELNICK
UP & COMING RACES
Antartica
The Last Desert (Antarctica) | 250 kilometers | November 18, 2016 | website
Argentina
Noroeste Argentina Trail – 100 km | 100 kilometers | November 08, 2016 | website
Noroeste Argentina Trail 50 km | 50 kilometers | November 08, 2016 | website
Australia
New South Wales
Carcoar Cup Ultra Marathon | 60 kilometers | November 06, 2016 | website
SURVIVAL RUN AUSTRALIA | 50 kilometers | November 18, 2016 | website
Survival Run Australia 75km | 75 kilometers | November 18, 2016 | website
Queensland
Run to Paradise Ultra Marathon | 74 kilometers | November 06, 2016 | website
Victoria
Upstream 50km Challenge | 50 kilometers | November 05, 2016 | website
Upstream 50km Challenge | 50 kilometers | November 05, 2016 | website
Colombia
North Face Endurance Challenge Columbia – 50 km | 50 kilometers | November 06, 2016 | website
North Face Endurance Challenge Columbia – 80 km | 80 kilometers | November 06, 2016 | website
Egypt
100 Km Pharonic Race | 100 kilometers | November 18, 2016 | website
France
Haute-Loire
Trail 70 km | 70 kilometers | November 12, 2016 | website
Marne
SPARNATRAIL classique | 55 kilometers | November 13, 2016 | website
Nord
Trail Extrème Lillois – 75 km | 75 kilometers | November 13, 2016 | website
Territoire de Belfort
Belfortrail 55 km | 55 kilometers | November 11, 2016 | website
Germany
Bavaria
Chiemsee-Ultramarathon November | 108 kilometers | November 12, 2016 | website
Lower Saxony
KILL 50 | 50 miles | November 05, 2016 | website
North Rhine-Westphalia
Bottroper Herbstwaldlauf – 50 km | 50 kilometers | November 06, 2016 | website
Hong-Kong
Oxfam Trailwalker Hong Kong | 100 kilometers | November 18, 2016 | website
India
Karnataka
100 km | 100 kilometers | November 12, 2016 | website
50 km | 50 kilometers | November 12, 2016 | website
75 km | 75 kilometers | November 12, 2016 | website
Maharashtra
100 km | 100 kilometers | November 13, 2016 | website
160 km | 160 kilometers | November 13, 2016 | website
50 km | 50 kilometers | November 13, 2016 | website
75 km | 75 kilometers | November 13, 2016 | website
Tamil Nadu
Nilgiris 100 km Men-Only Ultra | 100 kilometers | November 12, 2016 | website
Nilgiris 100 km Women-Only Ultra | 100 kilometers | November 13, 2016 | website
Nilgiris 50 km Men-Only Ultra | 50 kilometers | November 12, 2016 | website
Nilgiris 50 km Women-Only Ultra | 50 kilometers | November 13, 2016 | website
Indonesia
100K | 100 kilometers | November 12, 2016 | website
50K Relay | 50 kilometers | November 12, 2016 | website
Bromo Tengger Semeru 102K | 102 kilometers | November 04, 2016 | website
Bromo Tengger Semeru 170K | 170 kilometers | November 04, 2016 | website
Bromo Tengger Semeru 70K | 70 kilometers | November 04, 2016 | website
Italy
Sicily
Etna Tour Trail | 67 kilometers | November 09, 2016 | website
Nepal
Everest Trail Race | 160 kilometers | November 06, 2016 | website
Manaslu Trail Race | 212 kilometers | November 08, 2016 | website
New Zealand
60 km | 60 kilometers | November 05, 2016 | website
Taranaki Steelformers 100 mile Around the mountain Solo | 100 miles | November 04, 2016 | website
Taranaki Steelformers 150 km Around the mountain Running and Walking Relay | 150 kilometers | November 05, 2016 | website
Oman
Oman Desert Marathon | 165 kilometers | November 04, 2016 | website
Peru
Amazon Race Forest 65k | 65 kilometers | November 13, 2016 | website
Portugal
Trail Europe Croisière | 90 kilometers | November 05, 2016 | website
Taiwan
50 km | 50 kilometers | November 12, 2016 | website
Thailand
TU50 | 50 kilometers | November 12, 2016 | website
United Kingdom
Kirklees
100 Mile | 100 miles | November 05, 2016 | website
60 Mile | 60 miles | November 06, 2016 | website
Northamptonshire
Druids Challenge Ridgeway Multistage Ultra | 84 miles | November 11, 2016 | website
Powys
Beacons Ultra | 45 miles | November 12, 2016 | website
Stirling
Glen Ogle 33 Ultra | 33 miles | November 05, 2016 | website
Swansea
Coastal Trail Series – Gower – Ultra | 34 miles | November 12, 2016 | website
Worcestershire
Halloween 7in7 | 295 kilometers | November 06, 2016 | website
USA
Alabama
Pinhoti 100 | 100 miles | November 05, 2016 | website
Arizona
50K | 50 kilometers | November 04, 2016 | website
50 mile | 50 miles | November 04, 2016 | website
Colossal-Vail 50K | 50 kilometers | November 12, 2016 | website
Colossal-Vail 50 Mile | 50 miles | November 12, 2016 | website
Pass Mountain 50K Trail Run | 50 kilometers | November 12, 2016 | website
California
Chimera 100 Miles | 100 miles | November 12, 2016 | website
CTR Lake Chabot Train Run 50 km (Nov) | 50 kilometers | November 05, 2016 | website
Mt. Tam Trail Run 50 km | 50 kilometers | November 12, 2016 | website
Regular Team (12-Person) | 200 miles | November 11, 2016 | website
Rio Del Lago 100M | 100 miles | November 05, 2016 | website
Two Cities Ultra Marathon | 50 kilometers | November 06, 2016 | website
Ultra Team (6-Person) | 200 miles | November 11, 2016 | website
Florida
Cottonmouth 100 | 100 miles | November 12, 2016 | website
Regular Team (3-6 runners) | 50 miles | November 12, 2016 | website
Ultra Team (2 runners) | 50 miles | November 12, 2016 | website
Georgia
Georgia Sky to Summit 50k | 50 kilometers | November 05, 2016 | website
Illinois
Tunnel Hill 100 Miler | 100 miles | November 12, 2016 | website
Tunnel Hill 50 Miler | 50 miles | November 12, 2016 | website
Indiana
50K 2-Peson Relay | 50 kilometers | November 13, 2016 | website
50K 4-Person Relay | 50 kilometers | November 13, 2016 | website
50K Solo | 50 kilometers | November 13, 2016 | website
Owen Putnam State Forest 50K | 50 kilometers | November 05, 2016 | website
Owen Putnam State Forest 50 Miles | 50 miles | November 05, 2016 | website
Kentucky
50K | 50 kilometers | November 12, 2016 | website
Maryland
Fire on the Mountain 50K | 50 kilometers | November 06, 2016 | website
Rosaryville Veteran’s Day 50k | 50 kilometers | November 12, 2016 | website
Stone Mill 50 Mile Run | 50 miles | November 12, 2016 | website
Massachusetts
Nougat Trail 100K | 100 kilometers | November 12, 2016 | website
Nougat Trail 50K | 50 kilometers | November 12, 2016 | website
Stone Cat 50 Mile | 50 miles | November 05, 2016 | website
Missouri
Ozark Trail 100 Mile Endurance Run | 100 miles | November 05, 2016 | website
Nevada
Ragnar Relay Las Vegas | 195 miles | November 04, 2016 | website
New Jersey
NJ Trail Series One Day – 50K | 50 kilometers | November 12, 2016 | website
The Batona 50K | 50 kilometers | November 05, 2016 | website
The Batona 50 Mile | 50 miles | November 05, 2016 | website
New York
Mendon 50K Trail Run | 50 kilometers | November 05, 2016 | website
Ohio
Fuzzy Fandango 50 K | 50 kilometers | November 12, 2016 | website
Oregon
50K Ultra | 50 kilometers | November 05, 2016 | website
Tennessee
50K | 50 kilometers | November 12, 2016 | website
Nashville Ultra Marathon 50 K Race | 50 kilometers | November 05, 2016 | website
Nashville Ultra Marathon 50 Mile Race | 50 miles | November 05, 2016 | website
Nashville Ultra Marathon 60 K Race | 60 kilometers | November 05, 2016 | website
Nashville Ultra Marathon 70 K Race | 70 kilometers | November 05, 2016 | website
Texas
Big Cedar Endurance Run 100 Miler | 100 miles | November 04, 2016 | website
Big Cedar Endurance Run 50K | 50 kilometers | November 04, 2016 | website
Big Cedar Endurance Run 50 Miler | 50 miles | November 04, 2016 | website
Muleshoe 50K | 50 kilometers | November 05, 2016 | website
Utah
Antelope Island 50K Trail Run | 100 kilometers | November 05, 2016 | website
Virginia
Mountain Masochist Trail Run | 50 miles | November 05, 2016 | website
03:09:24 CLOSE
HEADS UP – I will be in Nepal for the next two weeks so, I won’t be putting out a ‘normal’ show. However, I have something special lined up. As many of you will know, Adam Campbell had a near fatal climbing accident just 9 weeks ago. I am pleased to say the recovery and healing process is going well. I caught up with Adam and I discussed the whole process and what lessons we can all learn from this in a 1-hour special. Episode 123 of Talk Ultra will be published automatically on Friday October 18th with a simple introduction and close.
03:18:01
ITunes http://itunes.apple.com/gb/podcast/talk-ultra/id497318073
Stitcher You can listen on iOS HERE, Android HERE or via a web player HERE
Libsyn – feed://talkultra.libsyn.com/rss
Website – talkultra.com
EcoTrail Funchal Madeira 2016
The second edition of the ECOTRAIL Funchal took place this past weekend on the stunning island of Madeira.
Portugal and Madeira has in recent years seen a real boom in trail and mountain running and the ECOTRAIL is quite unique in it’s approach of combining trail and city in one. The Funchal edition of the race is now one of six Ecotrail events, the other five – Brussels, Madrid, Paris, Oslo and Stockholm.
Four events, hundreds of runners and the community of Funchal united make the ECOTRAIL Funchal a real highlight in what is a very busy year for this island paradise that attracts tourists year round due to it’s excellent climate.
Jordi Saragossa traveled to Madeira to cover the race for iancorless.com
Starting in the early hours of the day, the 80km main event has a whopping 5400m of elevation gain that climbs up and down the technical trails within the Funchal region. Last year, the race was won by Arnaud Lejeune. Under the illumination of head lamps 100’s of runners set out for a tough day on the trails – Julien Chorier and Casey Morgan headed up a very strong field. Chorier moving up from the 40km distance which he won in 2015.
A weekend of racing, the 80km event is followed by the 40km event (171 runners) with 2500m of elevation gain, the 25km event (263 runners) and the 15km event (301 runners).
Madeira is known for it’s great all year climate but race day proved to be a mix of glorious sunshine, cloud and light rain. However, the conditions for runners were perfect enabling the majority to run in conditions that were neither to hot or cold.
Although Chorier and Morgan dominated the 80km event, the ECOTRAIL Funchal is much more than elite names racing and setting records. The race is all about motivation and inspiration. This was reflected in the 15km event which was by far the most popular event of the weekend, where local people arrived in their hundreds to take part and support.
80km Results
In the 80km race, Julien Chorier lead from the front and had a stunning day on the trails of Madeira. He arrived in Funchal looking strong. Casey Morgan placed 2nd just 6-minutes behind the Frenchman and Javi Bodas was 3rd, 19-minutes later. For the ladies, Wasmes Wasmed took a conniving victory 14-minutes ahed of Nadia Meroni and Sylvie Benech was 3rd, 1-hour after 2nd place.
“The race itself was great, I felt really strong all day. Julien put in a big attack on the second major climb and I had to let him go otherwise I was going to explode but I was pulling him back close to the summit but unfortunately missed a turn and added an extra km or so and never saw him again all day! A beautiful course with a lot of variety. Some really steep technical terrain but also some pretty smooth and fast sections. The weather was just as varied, wet and windy up high but sunny and very hot back in Funchal. A great weekend all round.” – Casey Morgan
RESULTADOS (HOMENS) | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | – | Chorier Julien | 08:38:31 | |
2 | – | Casey Morgan | 08:44:03 | |
3 | – | Javi Bodas | 09:04:31 |
RESULTADOS (MULHERES) | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | – | Wasmes Wasmes | 14:22:21 | |
2 | – | Nadia Meroni | 14:34:24 | |
3 | – | Sylvie Benech | 15:34:32 |
40km Results
In the 40km race, Gence Bertrand was 6-minutes clear of Olivier Morin with Francois Laurent placing 3rd – ‘very tough challenging and technical!’ Fanny Borgstrom was in her own race for the ladies’ finishing over 1-hour clear of Alice Sousa and Leau Sophie placing 3rd.
RESULTADOS (HOMENS) | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | – | Gence Bertrand | 04:53:18 | |
2 | – | Olivier Morin | 04:59:46 | |
3 | – | François Laurent | 05:14:40 |
RESULTADOS (MULHERES) | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | – | Fanny Borgström | 05:26:25 | |
2 | – | Alice Sousa | 06:35:41 | |
3 | – | Leau Sophie | 06:47:51 |
25km Results
It was a close 1,2,3 for the men as they all finished within 7-minutes. Manuel Jesus took the tape first ahead of Nuno Pereira and Carlos Pereira finishing just 2-minutes later. Carla Leite was a conniving winner for the ladies’ with a 20-minute margin over Lulia Fuiorea and Susana Azevedo 3rd.
RESULTADOS (HOMENS) | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | – | Manuel Jesus | 02:40:43 | |
2 | – | Nuno Pereira | 02:45:13 | |
3 | – | Carlos Pereira | 02:47:08 |
RESULTADOS (MULHERES) | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | – | Carla Leite | 03:01:22 | |
2 | – | Iulia Fuiorea | 03:21:22 | |
3 | – | Susana Azevedo | 03:24:59 |
15km Results
The 15km race was all about fun and in many scenarios it provided a first race opportunity for many locals. No doubt, they will be inspired to look ahead to 2017 and maybe move up to the 25 or 40km distances?
RESULTADOS (HOMENS) | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | – | Emanuel Freitas | 01:07:58 | |
2 | – | José Fernandes | 01:08:43 | |
3 | – | Juvenal Faria | 01:10:29 |
RESULTADOS (MULHERES) | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | – | Michele Faria | 01:26:09 | |
2 | – | Carla Caires | 01:32:13 | |
3 | – | Fátima Gregório | 01:33:47 |
The 80km and 40km races
The race started by following the main streets of the town heading east and then up to Curral dos Rameiros and Monte. Following trails, technical at times they head to the 1800m summit at Pico do Arieiro and then drop like stones to Allegria (this is the 40km start).
Navigating through suburban streets a brutal uphill follows and then a descent to Ribeira Grande, Santo Antonio. At Levada Negra another steep climb awaits, unfortunately this is the nature of Madeira trails; they go up and down! From Pico de Buxo they drop downhill towards the sea and stunning views of Funchal. Following trails and paths they navigate to the finish in Funchal with a final stretch running along the coast and the finish in Avenida do Infante.
25km
Starts in the highlands of Santo Antonio and takes in the final sections of the 80km and 40km events to finish on the Avenida do Infante in Funchal. The race has 900m+.
15km
The shortest race of the Ecotrail Funchal – Madeira 2016, will start at Pico dos Barcelos, at 355 meters, the athletes will take a route mostly downhill, going past Levada do Curral, Levada do Castelejo and Levada dos Piornais.
RACE WEBSITE AND INFORMATION HERE
RACE RESULTS HERE
EcoTrail Funchal 2015 – Madeira
The first edition of the ECOTRAIL Funchal took place today on the stunning island of Madeira.
For those who know, they will say, Madeira? wow, that is a hilly island for a race. I agree! It’s a very hilly island for a race.
Three events, 600+ people and community united are the key statistics from this inaugural edition.
Starting at 0600m the main event of the day, the 80km race (5400m of elevation gain) departed the centre of the town and under the illumination of head lamps the runners set out for what was without doubt a tough day and for many, night, on the trails of Funchal.
At 0900 the 40km event with 2500m of elevation gain departed from Algeria (Alegria) and finally at 1100, the 17km event with just 250m of vertical gain departed from Bico (PICO) de Barcelos.
Madeira is known for it’s great all year climate but race day proved to be a mix of glorious sunshine, cloud and light rain. However, the conditions for runners were perfect enabling the majority to run in conditions that were neither to hot or cold.
First edition races seldom have high quality fields but here in Madeira three world-class French runners toed the line:
Arnaud Lejeune – recent 2nd place at the Ultra Trail Mt Fuji
Julien Chorier – Champion of the Madeira Island Ultra Trail in 2014 and 6th at Western States in 2015.
Fabien Antolinos – 6th at UTMB 2015
Although Lejeune and Antolinus dominated the 80km event and Chorier won the 40km race, the ECOTRAIL Funchal is much more than elite names racing and setting records. The race is all about motivation and inspiration. This was reflected in the 17km event where local people arrived in their hundreds to take part and support
The race, the people and the island rely on tourism and without doubt, the ECOTRAIL race adds a great boost.
The 80km and 40km races
The race started by following the main streets of the town heading east and then up to Curral dos Rameiros and Monte. Following trails, technical at times they head to the 1800m summit at Pico do Arieiro and then drop like stones to Allegria (this is the 40km start). Navigating through suburban streets a brutal uphill follows and then a descent to Ribeira Grande, Santo Antonio. At Levada Negra another steep climb awaits, unfortunately this is the nature of Madeira trails; they go up and down! From Pico de Buxo they drop downhill towards the sea and stunning views of Funchal. Following trails and paths they navigate to the finish in Funchal with a final stretch running along the coast and the finish in Avenida do Infante.
17km
Starts from Pico de Barelo and takes in the final sections of the 80km and 40km events to finish on the Avenida do Infante in Funchal.
Race Results
In the 80km race, Arnaud Lejeune lead from the front and had a stunning day on the trails of Madeira. Despite a fall, he arrived in Funchal looking strong. Fabien Antoninus played the bridesmaid and as the latter stages of the race unfolded he obviously decided to take his foot of the gas and save some energy.
- Arnaud Lejeune 8:30:09
- Fabien Antoninus 8:49:46
- Leonardo Diogo 9:51:17
Ana Conclaves was the ladies winner in 12:43:24
All 80km results are HERE
In the 40km race, Julien Chorier raced in 2nd place for most of the day behind Marco Silva but at around 34km, he pulled away and took a strong victory on a course that he said was, ‘very tough challenging and technical!’
- Julien Chorier 4:29:55
- Marco Silva 4:33:57
- Virgilio Ornelas 4:46:07
All 40km results are HERE
The 17km race was all about fun and in many scenarios it provided a first race opportunity for many locals. No doubt, they will be inspired to look ahead to 2016 and maybe move up to the 40km distance.
- Marten Bostrom 59:36
- Francisco Freitas 1:03:39
- Jorge Pimenta 1:06:01
All 17km results HERE
At the time of writing results are slowly but surely coming in as all races have not finished. We will update this post with information as and when available.
You can check the ECOTRAIL Funchal website HERE
All images ©iancorless.com – all rights reserved
Registration and pre-race click on an image and view the gallery
The early hours click on an image and view the gallery
Race images 1 click on an image and view the gallery
Race images 2 click on an image and view the gallery
Finish 1 click on an image and view the gallery
Finish 2 click on an image and view the gallery