Introduction to trail-running

“O trail-running is race by foot, opened to everyone, in a natural environment trough roads, trails, mountains, forests, plains and even places covered by snow and ice, with the least amount of paved or asphalt roads, and if existent, these should not cover more than 20% of the race total distance.
International Trail Running Association
Trail do Porto Moniz 2018
MIUT 2019
Trail do Porto Moniz 2019

The type of terrain is varied. It can be sand, dirt roads, forest paths and trails. The variation uphill’s and downhills is also a characteristic of the sport, exiting races where the positive climb total above 10km throughout the race. The race course should be marked, by ribbons, reflectores, flags, sign posts and staff ( volunteers through the course showing the direction to follow), in a way the athlete can compete in the race withouth the need of previously knowing the race course.

Types of race

There are trail-running races of auto-sufficiensy or semi-sufficiensy. In the first the athlete normally takes a backpack with food, clothing, hydration and the needed materials to realize the course according to it’s distance and their prediction of time to complete it. However the race of semi-sufficiensy are more common, in them the athlete takes with him the minimum of equipment because throughout the course he will find aid-stations where he can refill it’s food, hydration and even chance clothing.

Trail-running, classificam-se are classified by:

Trail - until 42 km
Medium Trail - from 42 km to 69 km
Long Trail - from 70 km to 99 km
Super Long Trail - 100 km or plus

Trail Running races organized by Clube de Montanha do Funchal: