MIUT - Madeira Island Ultra Trail
MIUT Marathon (42K)
Monte, Funchal → Machico
Race guide
Updated 29 June 2026
The MIUT Marathon is the 42-kilometre event within the Madeira Island Ultra Trail festival, running point-to-point from Monte above Funchal down to the coastal town of Machico on the island's eastern tip. Starting at 609 metres in the leafy square of Largo da Fonte in Monte, the course climbs to a high point of 1,495 metres before ultimately descending 1,488 metres net to finish at Forum Machico, just 7 metres above sea level. With 1,311 metres of total ascent packed into 42 kilometres, this is no easy marathon — it demands technical trail competence, strong descending legs and respect for Madeira's mountain terrain, all delivered within a hard cut-off of Saturday at 22:00 at the finish line.
Course & Terrain
The route heads out of Monte through Madeira's characteristic levada paths and laurisilva forest — ancient laurel woodland that coats the island's central ridges and is a UNESCO World Heritage landscape. The trails range from smooth, well-graded levada walkways to rocky, root-laced single track that demands constant foot placement attention. After climbing from 609 metres at the start to the high point of 1,495 metres, the course tips definitively eastward and descends relentlessly toward the Atlantic coastline at Machico. The net drop of over 1,400 metres means your quads will be under sustained eccentric load for a significant portion of the race, and the technical nature of many descents — loose rock, wet root systems and narrow paths — means speed must be earned rather than simply taken.
The Decisive Climbs & Descents
The climb from Monte to the high point at 1,495 metres is the defining early effort of the race, gaining roughly 886 metres from the start. Get this climb wrong — going out too hard in the opening kilometres — and you will pay dearly on the long descent to Machico. The descent itself is the section where races are won and lost: those with confident technical descending skills and well-trained quad strength can make up significant time, while runners who overcook the early climb will find their legs failing them on steep, unforgiving trails above Machico. The final approach into town drops from mountain terrain to a coastal finish, and the change in gradient and surface as you near Machico can catch tired runners off guard.
Pacing & Fuelling
With a single checkpoint — the finish at Forum Machico — crew access is limited to the end of the race, so self-sufficiency for the full 42 kilometres is essential. Carry enough fluid and calories to cover the entire course without relying on external support en route. The climb to 1,495 metres warrants a conservative early pace; hike the steepest sections to preserve your legs for the technical descent. Aim to reach the high point feeling controlled and well within yourself. Calorie needs for a course this mountainous will exceed a flat road marathon — plan for regular intake of easily digestible carbohydrates from the gun, and do not wait until you feel fatigued to eat. Given the Saturday cut-off at 22:00 and the nature of the terrain, slower runners should be mindful of managing daylight on the descent if starting late in the day.
Conditions to Expect
Madeira's central mountains are a weather law unto themselves. The summit zone around 1,495 metres can be shrouded in cloud, cold and wet regardless of what it looks like at the start in Monte or the finish in Machico — pack a wind and waterproof layer even if the morning feels warm and clear. The laurisilva forest keeps trails permanently shaded and often damp, meaning rocks and roots remain slippery year-round. Temperatures at the coast in Machico will be considerably warmer than those at altitude, so dress in adaptable layers. Humidity is a constant factor on Madeira and should factor into your hydration planning — sweat rates are higher than runners used to cooler European conditions might expect.
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Checkpoints & cut-offs
✓ Course data verified against the official source (2026-07-05) · official source
0 km · 600 m · Sat 11:15
9.8 km · 1496 m · —
21.7 km · 595 m · Sat 18:30
26.8 km · 320 m · —
39.7 km · 5 m · Sat 22:00
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