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."

After more than 200 brutal miles and over two days of continuous running, Eduardo and Thiago delivered one of the most unforgettable moments of the Grand Final — not for a podium place, but for ninth and tenth, making their showdown even more compelling.

What began as two athletes grinding through the final stretch became a powerful display of camaraderie and competitive fire. For hours they ran side-by-side, pushing each other through exhaustion, isolation, and the mental strain that only multi-day racing can inflict. Their shared pace and mutual respect built a bond that carried them to the final kilometre.

But as they entered the last corner, everything changed.

Eduardo stumbled and fell, hitting the ground in a heartbreaking moment after so many kilometres of strength and resilience. Thiago instinctively surged forward, securing the advantage just seconds before they reached the finishing chute.

What followed was a 400m all-out sprint, two athletes emptying what little remained in their bodies. Thiago crossed just ahead, taking ninth, with Eduardo charging in right behind him, a finish that drew cheers not because it decided a victory, but because it captured the pure essence of endurance sport: respect, grit, and the thin line between triumph and heartbreak.

Over two days of racing, they had become each other’s pacer, rival, and support system. Their final sprint wasn’t about beating one another, it was about finishing together, even if separated by a single dramatic moment.

A finish for the ages. A story that proves you don’t need to win the race to win the crowd.