Martina Valmassoi and Ben Dhiman have won the Madeira Island Ultra Trail (MIUT) 115 kilometres race (7.100m+). That race is part of the Gran Canaria World Trail Majors series, just like the Mount Fuji 100, that also took place this weekend.
Valmassoi (Italy, Salomon) led from the start, with Anne-Lise Rousset (France, Scott) and Maite Maiora (Spain, Vibram) sometimes close on her heels, sometimes running together with her. Maiora was the first one who had to drop, but she held on to third place, fighting off Claire Bannwarth (France, RaidLight). During the night also Rousset, who would finish second, had to let go of Valmassoi: “It was hard, for real. The weather conditions made this adventure at times unbearable but somehow we all got through”, Valmassoi wrote after her race on her Instagram.
First goal accomplished
For Ben Dhiman (United States, Asics) the Madeira Island Ultra Trail was his first big goal of the season. From the start he was part of a compact group that attracted the first climb together. Miguel Arsénio (Portugal, Sport HG), Arthur Joyeux-Bouillon (France, On), Jeff Mogavero (USA, On) and Luis Fernandes (Portugal, Madeira Ocean & Trails) were the other members of that group. One for one the runners dropped out of the lead, while some of the chasers, like Sebastian Krogvig (Norway, Dynafit), Martin Kern (France, Arc’teryx) and Anthony Costa (France, Team 2EP) caught up.
At Pico do Areeiro Krogvig was only thirteen minutes behind Dhiman, with still 37 kilometres to go. However, the Norwegian wouldn’t get any closer. On the contrary, Dhiman extended his lead and finished in 13:52:46. Twenty minutes ahead of Krogvig; 14:12:54. Dhiman: “It was very challenging. A difficult race; technical, violent with the steps, a learning experience for me”.
Martin Kern completed the podium. With his time of 14:15:23 he beat Anthony Costa by seconds; 14:15:40.
Dhiman to return to Andorra
Dhiman’s other two goals this season are Trail 100 Andorra, which he won last year, and the UTMB, which last year he didn’t finish.
Photos: Joao Faria
Results Madeira Island Ultra Trail
