Races
Madeira Island Ultra-Trail
Portugal, April. 110 km on 75% trail. +22,231 ft of climbing. 29 hours cutoff.
- Start43 ft
- High5,549 ft
- Low8 ft
- Finish26 ft
- Portugal at mile 0.0
- Madeira Island Ultra-Trail mile 14 at mile 14, cutoff 5.800000000000001 hours
- Madeira Island Ultra-Trail mile 27 at mile 27, cutoff 11.600000000000001 hours
- Madeira Island Ultra-Trail mile 41 at mile 41, cutoff 17.4 hours
- Madeira Island Ultra-Trail mile 54 at mile 54, cutoff 23.200000000000003 hours
- Finish Portugal at mile 68, cutoff 29 hours
Geometrycourse math
The cruxForest trails, rolling cols, and weather swings (near mile 44)
Course DNA
The Course
Madeira Island Ultra-Trail runs 110 km through Portugal. +22,231 ft gain and -22,290 ft loss. Surfaces skew 75% trail / 20% dirt road / 5% paved. Forest trails, rolling cols, and weather swings. High point near 6,063 ft. Low near 0 ft. April temps run 40°F to 80°F. The course rewards patience early and punishes rushed descents after mile 34.
The Work
Train for 22,231 feet of climbing across 110 km. Back-to-back long runs on trail. Practice power-hiking grades above 15 percent. 29 hours total means limited margin: rehearse fueling every 45 to 60 minutes and downhill eccentric work weekly. Technicality 5/10. Build a block that simulates the crux near mile 44.
Kit
April in Portugal: plan for 40°F to 80°F. Mandatory shell if rain is in forecast. Headlamp with spare batteries if 29 hours pushes past dark. Poles help on sustained climbs above mile 17. Vest capacity for 2 liters minimum. Shoes matched to 75% trail: lugs for mud, rock plate if the course turns technical after mile 34.
Race Day
Hold effort through mile 17. The field often splits on the first big climb after mile 34. Forest trails, rolling cols, and weather swings near mile 44 is where time is won or lost. Walk the steep pinches. Run the flats and gentle downhills. Crew at major aids: socks, calories, ice if hot. Transitions under 5 minutes when possible. Final third is 23 miles of fatigue management. Finish with reserve for the last descent.
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