12:49:03 — Vincent Esmiol Wins the 2026 MIUT and Becomes the Third Frenchman on Madeira's Roll of Honour
TL;DR — On Saturday, April 25, 2026, France's Vincent Esmiol won the Legend 110 km of the Madeira Island Ultra-Trail (≈ 7,200 m of climbing) in 12:49:03. Behind him, fellow Frenchman Gautier Airiau took second in 12:57:52, and American Tyler Green finished third in 13:03:10. In the women's race, Germany's Katharina Hartmuth dominated in around 14:54. Esmiol joins François D'Haene (2017, 2019) and Lambert Santelli (2023) on a very short list of French winners of the MIUT.
If you missed the overnight live, here is what actually happened on the trails of Madeira — and why this race deserves a slot in your bucket list, even if you are nowhere near ready for 110 km.
The Race: Esmiol Controlled, Never Showy
The 2026 edition kicked off from the seaside village of Porto Moniz, on the northwestern tip of Madeira, at the stroke of midnight. Headlamps lit the first ridges as runners pushed up into the volcanic spine of the island.
By halfway, Esmiol was at the front — but never racing the cameras. No surges for the cameras, no early duels. Just clean management.
When the sun came up over the central peaks, the Frenchman was already clear. Gautier Airiau held on for second, American Tyler Green chased in third, and the gaps grew steadily on the long ridge balconies above the Atlantic. Esmiol moved through aid stations efficiently and finished into the eastern beach town of Machico in 12 hours, 49 minutes, and 3 seconds.
Men's Top 3
| Rank | Runner | Country | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Vincent Esmiol | France | 12:49:03 |
| 2 | Gautier Airiau | France | 12:57:52 |
| 3 | Tyler Green | USA | 13:03:10 |
Women's Top 3
| Rank | Runner | Country | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Katharina Hartmuth | Germany | ≈ 14:54 |
| 2 | Helen Mino Faukner | USA | ≈ 15:50 |
| 3 | Jazmine Lowther | Canada | ≈ 15:54 |
Who Is Vincent Esmiol?
Twenty-nine years old, from Digne-les-Bains in the southern French Alps, Esmiol did not come from an academy circuit. He built his career season after season on technical mountain terrain.
His recent CV already said a lot:
- 6th at the 2024 Diagonale des Fous (165 km, 9,600 m of climbing across Reunion Island),
- 7th at the 2025 Mont-Blanc 90 km,
- winner of L'Échappée Belle, one of the Alps' most demanding ultras (130 km along the Belledonne range).
His pattern: steady efforts on long days, and very clean race management. Madeira 2026 is not a fluke — it is a confirmed step up.
Want to follow runners like Esmiol and discover the races where they shine? BPMoov lists more than 2,000 road and trail races across France and Europe, sortable by distance, vert, level, and registration date. → Download BPMoov for free
What Exactly Is the MIUT?
The Madeira Island Ultra-Trail has been a fixture since 2008. The flagship distance, the Legend (110 km, 7,200 m D+), crosses the volcanic island from west to east, taking in Pico Ruivo (1,862 m) and Pico do Areeiro, and threading along the famous levadas (cliffside irrigation channels).
Point-to-point, midnight start, ocean finish — it is one of the most cinematic ultras on the European calendar, and an increasingly classic stepping-stone for runners with eyes on UTMB or Western States down the road.
Four formats run every year: the Legend (110 km), the Ultra (~85 km), the Marathon (~42 km), and the Mini (~16 km). You can find a doorway in regardless of where you sit on the experience ladder — no need to sign up for 100+ km the first time.
Hartmuth's Breakout in the Women's Race
Germany's Katharina Hartmuth ran a patient, dominant race. Already sharp on the long Golden Trail Series courses, she sealed a clear win in around 14:54, with American Helen Mino Faukner second and Canadian Jazmine Lowther third.
This is the kind of victory that shifts a status: Hartmuth now belongs in the conversation for UTMB and Hardrock podiums in the months ahead.
A French Tradition on Madeira
With this victory, Esmiol joins a very short list of French men's winners of the MIUT Legend:
- François D'Haene — 2017, 2019
- Lambert Santelli — 2023
- Vincent Esmiol — 2026
Three names, three styles, but one shared trait: the ability to manage technical terrain across hours without burning matches in the opening night. The MIUT does not forgive sloppy pacing.
For French ultra-trail more broadly, the day is huge: Gautier Airiau's second place in 12:57:52 is its own confirmation. The leadership of long ultra-trail racing is fought over every month, and France keeps showing up at the very front.
What This Means for You (Yes — Even If You've Never Run 100 km)
The question worth asking after every elite race report: what does this actually mean for an everyday runner?
Three concrete things.
1. Madeira is not pros-only. The MIUT Marathon (42 km) and Mini (16 km) are aimed at intermediate trail runners. You can fly in, race, then turn it into a holiday — major trail experience without putting your body through 110 km.
2. The 2026 European calendar is stacked. MIUT in April, Transvulcania in May, Mont-Blanc in June, UTMB in August, Diagonale des Fous in October. To build a coherent season, you need a radar that tells you when each registration opens, and pings you in time.
3. Registrations sell out fast. The MIUT Legend, in particular, is regularly capped. Miss the opening day and you wait a year.
That's exactly what BPMoov does for you. Save MIUT 2027 (or any other road or trail race) to your favourites, and we'll send you a notification the moment registration opens. No more juggling 12 different websites. → Turn on race alerts in BPMoov
The Bottom Line
Vincent Esmiol is now the new face of long-distance French trail running. His MIUT 2026 win is no accident — it confirms a patient project, a rare race-reading instinct, and a clear step up.
For the race itself, the message is the one Chamonix has known for a while: the MIUT is a must-watch fixture of the global calendar, worth keeping on your bucket list even if you aim at the shorter formats.
To stay on top of registration windows, the full road + trail calendar across France and Europe, and races near you, BPMoov is free, available on iOS and Android, and lists 2,000+ races.
FAQ — MIUT 2026 and Vincent Esmiol
What was Vincent Esmiol's time at the 2026 MIUT?
Vincent Esmiol covered the 110 km of the Legend of the 2026 Madeira Island Ultra-Trail in 12 hours, 49 minutes, 3 seconds — among the fastest times in the race's history on the current course.
Who won the women's MIUT 2026?
Germany's Katharina Hartmuth won the women's Legend in around 14:54, ahead of American Helen Mino Faukner (≈ 15:50) and Canadian Jazmine Lowther (≈ 15:54).
What is the route of the MIUT Legend?
The Legend is 110 km long with about 7,200 m of climbing, point-to-point from Porto Moniz (northwest Madeira) to Machico (eastern coast). The race starts at midnight and crosses Pico Ruivo, Pico do Areeiro, and the famous levadas (irrigation channels).
How do I register for the MIUT 2027?
MIUT registrations typically open in the previous autumn (October–November) on the official site miutmadeira.com. Spots go fast — the Legend regularly sells out. The BPMoov app lets you favourite the MIUT to get a notification the moment official registration opens.
How many French runners have won the MIUT?
Three French runners have won the men's Legend: François D'Haene (2017 and 2019), Lambert Santelli (2023), and now Vincent Esmiol (2026).
What distances does the MIUT offer?
The MIUT runs four formats: the Legend (110 km), the Ultra (~85 km), the Marathon (~42 km), and the Mini (~16 km). The Marathon suits experienced intermediate trail runners; the Mini opens the event to a much wider audience.