The 2025 Sicoob Mons Ultra Trail will be remembered not only for its champions, but for an extraordinary achievement behind the scenes: zero serious rescue incidents across all race distances. The credit belongs to a dedicated race support crew of more than 150 people, affectionately known as the Faces of Mons, whose commitment and expertise formed the backbone of the event.
Long before the first athlete reached the start line, these crew members were already working—marking trails, setting aid stations, preparing logistics, and coordinating safety teams across the vast, technical terrain of Nova Trento. Their presence was constant: on remote ridges, deep in forest sections, at creek crossings, and in bustling aid zones where their energy lifted exhausted athletes.
Many team members were locals: students, teachers, firefighters, farmers, and lifelong trail enthusiasts. Others travelled from neighbouring regions, drawn by the reputation of the One Hundred series and the pride of supporting Brazil’s premier ultra event.
Their work went far beyond handing out water or directing traffic. They monitored athlete well-being, communicated constantly with medical staff, provided real-time GPS and environmental updates, and executed a proactive safety plan that proved flawless.
Athletes spoke repeatedly about the crew’s warmth and professionalism. Whether offering a bilingual pep talk, a perfectly timed refill, or a reassuring nod in the dark of night, the Faces of Mons created the safe and uplifting environment that allowed every athlete to push toward their limits.
The zero-rescue statistic is a testament to them: a rare, remarkable achievement in a race of this distance and difficulty.
“They are the heart of this event,” said Race Director Danilo Pinheiro. “Without them, there is no One Hundred Mons Final. They are the quiet heroes of every finish line.”
Their dedication turned a world-class race into an unforgettable community triumph.
Few stories resonated with spectators as deeply as the journey of Canadian couple Kirsti Dolson and Matthew “Shep” Shepard, who came to Brazil to race – and unexpectedly became beloved figures in Nova Trento.
Their plan was simple: run together, support each other, and experience one of the world’s most beautiful and demanding trail events. But what unfolded over the course of the week was something far more meaningful.
From the early checkpoints, the pair were impossible to miss, laughing, encouraging each other, and taking on the course with an infectious positivity that lifted everyone around them. Volunteers cheered extra loudly when they approached. Spectators learned their names. Even local families began following their progress live.
When a steep climb near the halfway point challenged many athletes, Kirsti and Shep tackled it side-by-side, stopping to help another runner who was struggling with cramps. The moment was captured by an amateur photographer, later becoming one of the most-shared images of the event.
Their bond, their kindness, and their perseverance quickly earned them the nickname “Os Canadianos do Coração” — The Canadians of the Heart.
Despite facing heat, fatigue, and the sheer brutality of the terrain, Kirsti and Shep kept moving with purpose. Their final kilometres were slow but determined, and when they entered the finishing corridor hand-in-hand, the Nova Trento crowd erupted. It was one of the loudest receptions of the entire championship weekend.
"We came here for a race," Shep said. "But what we found was a community."
Kirsti added, "These trails challenged us, but the people here changed us."
Their story became a symbol of the event’s spirit—proof that in ultra-running, heart matters as much as speed.
In an event defined by global competition, it was local Brazilian standout Rodrigo Oliveira who delivered one of the most emotional and celebrated victories of the week, winning his category in under 20 hours and doing so on his home terrain, in front of an electrified Nova Trento crowd.
Rodrigo is no stranger to the region’s rugged trails. The dense forest, the exposed climbs, the unpredictable footing—features he trained on for years. But on race day, he elevated his performance into something extraordinary.
From the opening kilometres, Rodrigo showed a calm but assertive rhythm, staying near the front without overextending. His pacing was immaculate. As international athletes battled the humidity and technical terrain, Rodrigo looked almost effortless, feeding off the cheers at every village crossing.
He made his move at the halfway mark, strengthening his lead with a series of powerful climbs and opening a gap that would grow steadily over the final hours.
Every split confirmed what the spectators already felt: they were watching a homegrown masterclass.
As he entered the final stretch, the atmosphere in Nova Trento transformed. Crowds lined the barriers, flags waved, and the noise swelled into a roar as Rodrigo sprinted home in one of the fastest times ever recorded on the course.
His sub-20 finish didn’t just secure a win; it ignited national pride. Local media highlighted him as the face of Brazil’s trail-running future, and fans gathered long after the finish to celebrate him as their champion.
"Running here isn’t just racing," Rodrigo said. "It’s representing every person who trained on these trails before me. This wasn’t my victory alone; it belonged to Nova Trento."
In a race where every second counts, Martin Perrier proved that sometimes the smartest move is to stop briefly before surging to glory.
Martin arrived at the penultimate aid station first, fully aware he held a comfortable 20-minute lead over Damian Watson. But instead of pushing on, he made a bold, unconventional decision that showed exactly why he’s one of the sport’s sharpest minds. Martin settled inside the aid station tent and took a 15-minute power nap, a calculated recharge to sharpen his focus and fuel his final push.
When Damian arrived, Martin woke, stood up, and immediately switched back into race mode. What followed was a display of champion instinct: he launched out of the aid station with renewed speed and intent, extending his lead and leaving his rival with no chance to respond.
That final stretch to the finish showcased Martin at his absolute best — steady, composed, and tactically brilliant. His victory in the 200M wasn’t just a result of physical endurance; it was the product of elite race intelligence and a willingness to trust his body and instincts.
In a sport defined by grit and grind, Martin’s power-nap gamble will go down as one of the most memorable strategic moves of the season. A true champion’s mentality: strong enough to run, confident enough to rest, and smart enough to know exactly when to do both.
Italian trail legend Francesca Canepa entered the 200 mile Championship with something no one else had: more than two decades of elite racing experience, one in snowboarding and 15 years in running.
So while younger athletes surged through the early kilometres, Francesca played the long game: conserving energy, managing heat, and reading the course like a strategist plotting a checkmate.
Her early pacing was deliberate, bordering on conservative. But for those who know Francesca’s racing style, it was a warning sign that she was exactly where she needed to be.
As night fell and the race entered its decisive phase, the field began to splinter. By the 130 km mark, Francesca had moved into striking distance, her cadence smooth and her posture unbroken. Instead of chasing aggressively, she stuck to the plan and just flowed through the miles following her own pace, focused on feeling comfortable and happy.
Around km 260 she caught Jodie Stutt and decided to share the lead at least for a while because 200 miles all alone are so long and also because women often empower themselves together.
But then, with just 6 km remaining, Francesca decided to better honor the race and herself as well, and launched a calculated surge that stunned spectators and competitors alike. On a rugged climb known for breaking spirits, she found another gear with calm efficiency and never looked back. The final kilometres were the fastest of her entire second half of the race.
Crossing the finish line in 59:40:02, Francesca Canepa claimed the women’s 200 mile World Championship title, reaffirming her place among the sport’s greats. It was not just a victory of strength, but of intellect, patience, and mastery.
Her finish drew some of the loudest cheers of the week, and her performance became the defining veteran storyline of the Grand Final.
Francesca’s message afterward captured her approach perfectly:"Ultras are not won in the first kilometres. They’re won when everyone else thinks the race is over. Experience teaches you when to wait—and when to fly."
