Fabiana Ferreira on Her Intense Trail Announcing Routine
Juggling packed weekends and overnight announcing shifts, the race announcer shares how she balances exhaustion with the athletes' affection.
With nearly every weekend of the year booked for trail running events, Fabiana Ferreira navigates a demanding routine. Speaking on Stemma Na Trilha, the race announcer shares the challenges of her packed schedule and the deep bond forged with runners at every finish line.
Working as an announcer at Brazil's premier mountain and trail running events requires a level of dedication that consumes virtually every day on the calendar. For Fabiana Ferreira, having even a single weekend off per month is a rarity. When an event spans only Friday or Saturday, the work dynamics already rule out extended downtime or leisure trips with family.
To balance the physical toll with moments of rest, Fabiana's strategy is to arrive early in host cities like Paraty and Ilhabela. Arriving a day in advance allows her to walk along the beach, dine at a nice restaurant, and share a beer with friends before tackling grueling shifts in the arena, which often exceed thirty consecutive hours of event coverage.
Unwinding and Crossing Paths with Athletes on the Road
The energy of the races often extends well beyond the awards ceremony. Even after grueling events like La Misión Brasil, where the team pulls overnight shifts with only two-hour breaks to shower and rest, the connection with the sport's community remains strong. After crossing the finish line or wrapping up the ceremony, it is common to find athletes celebrating and asking for photos.
This direct contact continues all the way home. In major events such as the UTMB circuit, the return trip is often punctuated by roadside stops where new encounters with athletes take place. What would normally be a short drive turns into extra time around coffee tables at gas stations, continuing conversations about the challenges faced out on the trail.
A Signature Voice and Finish Line Expectations
With her frequent presence at races from Bahia to Santa Catarina, spanning iconic landscapes like Chapada Diamantina and Chapada dos Veadeiros, Fabiana's voice has become a defining hallmark for runners nationwide. This closeness creates moments where athletes insist on having the announcer present the exact second they cross the finish arch, even when she tries to take a brief lunch break.
This affectionate demand has turned into good-humored banter among the Stemma Na Trilha crew and race organizers, who have joked about everything from an on-site status board in the arena to adding an official nap schedule in the athlete guide to balance the announcer's rest with the celebrations of those finishing the race.