Runner’s World UK – September 2019

SEPTEMBER 2019 RUNNERSWORLD.COM/UK 093

MADEIRA 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 da

Arriaga, 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 several

eye-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

200. 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: 176

Finishing 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.com

The Madeira Ecotrail takes

place on October 26, madeira.

ecotrail.com. For more info,

visit madeiraallyear.com/en

Winner 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)