Races
Ultra Trail do Marão
Portugal, March. 120 km on 75% trail. +29,012 ft of climbing. 32 hours cutoff.
- Start659 ft
- High4,557 ft
- Low226 ft
- Finish262 ft
- Portugal at mile 0.0
- Ultra Trail do Marão mile 15 at mile 15, cutoff 6.4 hours
- Ultra Trail do Marão mile 30 at mile 30, cutoff 12.8 hours
- Ultra Trail do Marão mile 46 at mile 46, cutoff 19.2 hours
- Ultra Trail do Marão mile 61 at mile 61, cutoff 25.6 hours
- Finish Portugal at mile 76, cutoff 32 hours
Geometrycourse math
The cruxForest trails, rolling cols, and weather swings (near mile 48)
Course DNA
The Course
Ultra Trail do Marão runs 120 km through Portugal. +29,012 ft gain and -29,409 ft loss. Surfaces skew 75% trail / 20% dirt road / 5% paved. Forest trails, rolling cols, and weather swings. High point near 4,639 ft. Low near 190 ft. March temps run 40°F to 80°F. The course rewards patience early and punishes rushed descents after mile 37.
The Work
Train for 29,012 feet of climbing across 120 km. Back-to-back long runs on trail. Practice power-hiking grades above 15 percent. 32 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 48.
Kit
March in Portugal: plan for 40°F to 80°F. Mandatory shell if rain is in forecast. Headlamp with spare batteries if 32 hours pushes past dark. Poles help on sustained climbs above mile 19. Vest capacity for 2 liters minimum. Shoes matched to 75% trail: lugs for mud, rock plate if the course turns technical after mile 37.
Race Day
Hold effort through mile 19. The field often splits on the first big climb after mile 37. Forest trails, rolling cols, and weather swings near mile 48 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 25 miles of fatigue management. Finish with reserve for the last descent.
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