SEPTEMBER 2019 RUNNERSWORLD.COM/UK 093MADEIRA ECOTRAIL RACERACE
bring down two people
and because I didn’t fancy
breathing down someone’s
neck. It’s rude. And creepy.
The final section took
us along city pavements.
I found myself running with
a young woman, who
pointed me in the right
direction when I headed for
the wrong side of the road.
From there we tag-teamed:
she took the lead and I
followed slowly, then I
moved up and she would
take a breather. It worked
well: I think I would have
walked some of the way
were it not for her, as the
ups and downs had taken a
toll. The last kilometre was
along Funchal’s Avenida daArriaga, which is lined
with jacaranda trees and
outdoor restaurants. A few
people looked up from
their lunch and briefly
clapped, in case someone
important was passing. It
felt like a standing ovation.
I crossed the line with my
temporary teammate, we
shook hands and went our
separate ways. Thank you,
ponytailed stranger,
whoever you were.
Over a beer, I thought
back on the event. I had a
great feeling of satisfaction,
thanks in part to the unique
nature of the route. The
15km race is a one-off. It’s
offroad, but it’s not really
trail. It offered severaleye-opening views, but I
knew the longer distances,
which take in more of this
gorgeous island, would
offer a magnitude of
beauty that makes people
applaud. Even the short
route is a considerable
challenge, but it finishes in
the middle of the coastal
capital, where there is
no shortage of places to
celebrate. I finished my
beer and, remembering
my manners, I ordered
a second. To toast my
teammate, you understand.happened, no one seemed
bothered to blaze a trail;
we were all in this together
and the easygoing mood
reflected that fact.
At the halfway point,
the route flattened out
completely and then, for
a blessed while, we were
running on a wide walkway
along the beach, with a
welcome sea breeze
cooling us down. This is
where the race’s one fuel
station was located; in
fairness, there was
nowhere else to set up.
Respite over, we turned
steeply up again. I looked
up and all I could see were
steps. I decided to begin
counting – and hit well over
- I passed one runner,
who was leaning against
the railings, both hands
holding on tight as he
tried to inhale all the air
in the vicinity. He may
still be there.
From the steps we were
back onto a levada. As my
legs had begun to protest
halfway up the steps,
I tried to keep a decent
distance from the runner
ahead, so one slip didn’t
THE RUNDOWN
Madeira Ecotrail
(2018 results)
First man: António
Gonçalves, 1:10:36
First woman: Luisa
Freitas, 1:18:20
Last finisher: 3:00:58
No of finishers: 176Finishing stats
● 01:10-01:29: 13%
● 01:30-01:59: 44%
● 02:00-02:29: 34%
● 02:30-0:2:59:8%
● 03:00+ 1%THE LOWDOWN
GET THERE British Airways and Easyjet fly direct to the capital, Funchal, from UK
airports from £140rtn
STAY The comfortable, unassuming Hotel Madeira, in the heart of Funchal,
is mere minutes from the start and finish lines. It’s an ideal base. Double room
(with breakfast) from £70 per night. hotelmadeira.com
EAT/DRINK The Golden Gate Cafe is an ideal place to watch the runners finish:
goldengate.pt. Treat yourself to a postrace dinner at Armazem do Sal. Try the
sumptuous shrimp risotto, €16 (£14.50). armazemdosal.comThe Madeira Ecotrail takes
place on October 26, madeira.
ecotrail.com. For more info,
visit madeiraallyear.com/enWinner of the 80km
finished in 9:49:32
(46 finishers)
Winner of the 40km
finished in 4:47
(74 finishers)
Winner of the 25km
finished in 2:34
(93 finishers)