São Paulo, Brazil – Brazilian trail runner Lucas Martins achieved an impressive 15th place out of 886 participants at the La Misión Brasil 55K on August 15, 2025, crossing the finish line with a time of 9h31min07s — improving his 2024 performance by 43 minutes.
Conquering the Serra Fina: Brazil’s Most Difficult Trail Race
The La Misión Brasil 55K is considered one of the most demanding trail races in South America, crossing the entire Serra Fina mountain range in Minas Gerais. Over 55km and D+ 4,192m elevation gain, runners climb three of Brazil’s ten highest peaks, navigating remote trails, rocky ridges, and dramatic weather shifts.
“This course is a true test of consistency and persistence,” Lucas said. “Every ascent challenges not just your legs but your focus and determination. The terrain is wild and beautiful — and that’s what makes it so special.”
The toughest part of the race came near the end, when runners climbed Pico do Campo do Muro after descending to just 900m of elevation. “It’s a steady, grueling climb when your legs are already exhausted,” Lucas explained. “But staying focused on the goal kept me moving forward until I crossed the finish line.”
“ Since Serra Fina is only accessible via trails requires carrying a large list of mandatory safety items, which is challenging with a standard backpack,” said Lucas.“The Haimont 8LPro vest pack has the right capacity and smart compartments to fit everything, distribute weight evenly, and keep it comfortable for nine hours of racing, Even after long climbs and descents, the pack stayed stable — no bounce, no discomfort — which helped me maintain a steady rhythm.”
For Lucas, this race was more than just a ranking.
“La Misión is without a doubt the toughest race in Brazil, maybe even South America. Improving my time by 43 minutes was the perfect reward for months of focused training. Even when I wanted to quit, I stayed committed. Crossing the finish line was pure joy.”
Lucas leaves fellow runners with this message:
“Consistency beats fear. Trust your training, stay focused, and you’ll surprise yourself with what you can achieve.”