TAUT 2026: Stone, Strategy, and Standout Performances Across Every Distance
The 2026 edition of Terras do Ansião Ultra Trail (TAUT) once again turned the Stone Territories into a proving ground for endurance athletes to test their bodies, minds, and wills against the relentless terrain of the Serra de Sicó in Portugal.
With qualification pathways toward the One Hundred World Championship Grand Final on the line, performances carried significance far beyond the finish arch.
150 Miles (TAUTE XL+)
The longest distance delivered both dominance and drama. As a Special Edition distance held for the first time this year, the TAUT Endurance XL+ was the ultimate test of endurance attracting a limited field of experienced and determined ultra warriors.
Marco Pinto set the tone early and never relinquished control. The two-time 100-mile champion powered through the 150-mile course to take victory in 35:04:08, finishing over 12 hours ahead of the field. Behind him, Maarten Naaktgeboren fought hard for second place, temporarily slipping in the standings against Artur Oliveira before coming back across the latter stages of the course.
Of the seven men who started the 150-mile event, only five reached the finish line — a testament to the brutality of the terrain and the fortitude required to conquer it.
100 Miles (TAUTE XL)
Bruno Coelho de Sousa, who came third over the 200-mile category at the 2025 One Hundred World Championship Grand Final, produced a course record performance in 18:53:04 to cross the finish line five hours faster than last year’s men’s champion.
Rogério Pronto and Jean-Gabriel Gagnon took the next two steps of the podium.
In the women’s race, Sara Vaz and Andreia Vicente ran stride for stride through the opening half. Vaz then made her move, pulling ahead and eventually opening a checkpoint advantage as Vicente faded behind the 40-hour cutoff. Vaz clocked in at 27:15:34, beating the women’s course record time by nearly four hours.
100 Kilometers (TAUTE)
Eduardo Camoes broke the tape in 13:44:55. His remarkably consistent pace between checkpoints testified to his fitness, discipline, and a well-executed strategy that saw him take the lead early on. Nelson Felix and Jorge Amaral chased hard behind him to cross the finish line within an hour of the winning time.
Carla Matos was the sole female starter in the category, but the race still needed to be completed to be won. Finishing in 24:39:04, she proved her endurance on a course that gives little margin for error.
20K (TATS) and 13K (TATJ)
While the ultra distances tested limits over days, the 20-kilometer and 13-kilometer races brought intensity to the forefront as competitors tackled stone, single-track, and rugged trails.
Strong performances set the standard: Daniel Antunes and Ana Bonifácio crossed first in the 20K Terras Do Ansião Trail Sprint category, while in the 13K Terras Do Ansião Trail Jovem, Joaquim Oliveira and Sara Neves claimed victory.
These Trail World Tour races also offer athletes the chance to earn points and take their first steps on the pathway to the One Hundred® World Championship. A key pillar of the One Hundred® ecosystem, the Trail World Tour is designed to expand access across the sport and create pathways to progression on the ultra endurance journey
TAUT 2026: A Festival on the Trails, A Celebration of Endurance
TAUT weekend also delivered kids’ races and its exclusive 35K and 65K categories, providing challenge for every age and fitness level. Several shorter distances also doubled as the National Championships, showcasing the authentic spirit of Portuguese endurance culture.
From explosive short-course racing to the attritional demands of 150 miles, TAUT 2026 delivered defining performances across every category.
In the Stone Territories, nothing is given; every kilometer must be earned. This year’s champions leave Ansião not only with titles, but with valuable momentum in the race toward the One Hundred World Championship Grand Final.
