Sports
Behind the Scenes: Poliana Moraes on Trail Running Empathy
In a talk with Sidney Togumi, the event producer reflects on defining moments with athletes and the weight of arena decisions.
Behind the scenes of major mountain races, logistics demand both technical rigor and human empathy. Event producer Poliana Moraes shares heartfelt stories, from retrieving a lost key before the start to the emotional weight of strict cutoff rules.
Organizing a major trail running race goes far beyond assembling structures and sticking to schedules. Behind the scenes, the empathy to manage athletes' exhaustion and anxiety defines the experience for everyone at the starting line. On the Stemma Na Trilha podcast with Sidney Togumi, event producer Poliana Moraes recalled moments where empathy and active listening proved essential in turning high-stress situations into stories of triumph.
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Rescuing a Lost Key at La Misión
During an edition of the La Misión race, Poliana encountered a frantic group of runners shortly before the night start. One of the athletes had misplaced the car key to the vehicle containing all their identification and race kits, sparking intense tension among teammates. Under heavy pressure, the runner was ready to drop out before the race even began.
Retracing the runner's short walk to the drop bag area in her mind, Poliana deduced that the key might have slipped into the athlete's transition bag. Even though the storage area held hundreds of items, the producer remembered the system of organizing bags in batches of 100 that she had instructed her team to use that morning. Poliana quickly located the exact bag, broke the seal in front of the runner, and retrieved the key, allowing the athlete to start with peace of mind and complete one of her best races.
Dawn in the Arena and a Lesson from a Visually Impaired Athlete
Another poignant story unfolded during an overnight arena setup. As she waited in exhaustion for a delayed supply truck, Poliana was approached under the finish arch by a group of runners asking for a photo. Speaking with them, she realized one of the athletes was visually impaired and had traveled over 18 hours to take part in his dream race, warmly thanking the setup crew for their hard work.
The story took an emotional and challenging turn at the finish line. The runner completed the demanding course but crossed the arch mere seconds past the official cutoff time. Under the event's official rules, he was not recognized as a finisher and was denied a completion medal, deeply moving the event staff.
With race organizers strictly upholding the rule, the situation rallied everyone in the arena. Celinho, the athlete who won the race that year, searched the venue to find the runner and personally presented him with his own champion medal, highlighting the spirit of camaraderie and compassion that defines trail running.
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