The 2024 edition of the Boa Vista Ultra Trail, held on December 7 and 8 on the island of Boa Vista, was a memorable event for the international trail running community. The island, part of the Cape Verde archipelago, once again offered breathtaking yet unforgiving scenery: scorching heat combined with the dreaded “bruma seca,” a dry fog typical of the season, pushed even the most seasoned athletes to their limits. The dropout rate was particularly high, especially in the 150 km Ultra Marathon, where more than 50% of participants failed to complete the race.
A unique island for an extraordinary challenge
Boa Vista is renowned for its sand dunes, endless beaches, and volcanic landscapes that seem to belong to another world. However, this beauty is paired with extreme climatic conditions, making the Boa Vista Ultra Trail one of the toughest races in the world. High temperatures, relentless winds, and varied terrain—alternating between sand, rocks, and dirt tracks—demand not only impeccable physical preparation but also extraordinary mental strength.
150 km Ultra Marathon: a superhuman challenge
The main event, the 150 km Ultra Marathon, showcased the resilience of Cape Verdean athletes. The men’s podium was a local triumph, with José Daniel Vaz Cabral and Rony Duarte Fortes sharing first place, followed by Nelson Gil Dias Fortes in third.
In the women’s field, Italian athlete Laura Varolo was the only finisher, demonstrating extraordinary strength and tenacity.
75 km Salt Marathon: three continents on the podium
The Salt Marathon delivered excitement with a men’s podium celebrating the international nature of the event. First place went to Australian Luke Wheeler, followed by Cape Verdean J. Fonseca Lopes and Italian Andrea Palma.
In the women’s field, the only athlete to cross the finish line was Cape Verdean Lucille Barbosa de Pina, a result that highlights the difficulty of this distance and the incredible determination of the winner.
42 km Eco Marathon: Mirko Zancarli makes history
The shortest distance, though no less demanding, saw Italian Mirko Zancarli triumph with an extraordinary time of 3 hours and 46 minutes, breaking the course record by 4 minutes. Joining him on the men’s podium were Cape Verdean Luis Carlos Ribeiro Rodrigues in second place and Dutch athlete Arno Macken in third.
In the women’s field, Italian dominance was evident with Angelica Palma in first and Luigia Pozzi in second, followed by German Lana Rockmann in third place.
For complete standings, visit this page.
A celebration of human resilience
The Boa Vista Ultra Trail 2024 reaffirmed its status as a unique competition, bringing together athletes from around the world in an epic challenge against themselves and the elements. Congratulations to all participants, winners, and those who simply had the courage to take on this legendary race. Boa Vista, with its wild and fascinating nature, awaits you for the next adventure!
