Sports
Fábio de Jesus: Emotional Debut at NB 42k Porto Alegre 2026
'Warrior of the Sertão' unveils his preparation journey, race strategy, and the honor of running alongside Eliud Kipchoge in his first marathon.
Fabio de Jesus, known as the 'Warrior of the Sertão,' shares details of his highly anticipated debut at the NB 42k Porto Alegre Marathon. In a conversation with Fabio Bessa and Thiago Kawamura, he reveals how he manages pressure, his intense preparation, and strategy for the 42k, along with the emotion of lining up with Eliud Kipchoge. It's a story of focus, discipline, and faith in high-performance sports.
Runner Fabio de Jesus, affectionately nicknamed the "Warrior of the Sertão," participated in an exclusive chat with hosts Fabio Bessa and Thiago Kawamura at the Stemma Sports studio. The conversation took place live from the coverage of the New Balance 42k Porto Alegre 2026, serving as a warm-up for Fabio's highly anticipated debut in the challenging marathon distance, discussing expectations, preparation, and race strategy.
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The Tension and Emotion of a Home Debut
The anticipation surrounding Fabio de Jesus's 42-kilometer debut was immense, fueled by his excellent half-marathon results. Fabio confessed to feeling "butterflies" and the pressure of "everyone talking" about his performance. Initially, his coach, Elvis, had suggested an international marathon debut to ease this pressure, thinking that "if anything happened, there wouldn't be as much pressure." However, Fabio insisted on debuting on Brazilian soil, stating: "I want to debut in Brazil." The choice of the New Balance 42k Porto Alegre was crucial, with Elvis recommending the race due to its favorable course and climate conducive to high performance. The partnership between Fabio and Elvis has already spanned seven years, a period marked by great achievements. The energy from the crowd, who stop him for photos and words of encouragement, is also seen as a major advantage.
High-Level Preparation and the Olympic Dream
The transition from half-marathon to full marathon wasn't an abrupt jump in training volume for Fabio, who had already been training at a high load for "two, three years." This intense preparation was aimed at previous Olympics, but an injury ultimately interrupted the plan. However, the experience with high training volumes served as a solid foundation for the 42k, with Fabio revealing he had completed an impressive "43 km" in training. His major goals include winning the renowned São Silvestre race and, especially, representing Brazil at the Olympic Games, with the qualification window expected to open in November. Depending on his performance in Porto Alegre, he might even aim for the South American marathon championship.
Strategy for Success and the Honor of Running with Kipchoge
Just as in his victorious half-marathon in Rio de Janeiro, where he sought to beat his personal best and ended up as champion, Fabio de Jesus has a well-defined strategy for the NB 42k Marathon. The plan, aligned with Elvis, is to run the first half of the race at a consistent pace and, after 30 kilometers, if he feels good, to "go for it." One of the highlights of the race for Fabio is the incredible opportunity to run alongside Eliud Kipchoge, the legendary marathon runner. "Being next to Kipchoge in Brazil, in my debut, I think it's a gift from God," Fabio expressed, moved by the gratitude of lining up with a global icon. He also took the opportunity to reinforce Kipchoge's own message, encouraging young athletes to have focus, discipline, patience, and faith to achieve their dreams, just like other great Brazilian names such as Jonathan and Wendel, who would also be competing.
Gratitude, Family Foundation, and a Look to the Sky
Fabio de Jesus took a moment to express his profound gratitude. He thanked all his sponsors, including Prime Run, Olympikus, Brazilian Army, Adidas Brazil, Mom Bora, and Sporting Nutrition, acknowledging that without them, his journey would not be possible. Furthermore, he highlighted the fundamental role of his coach Elvis and, especially, his family, who support him in training and in life, being his primary support system. With a touch of emotion, Fabio mentioned a special person who is no longer physically present but surely watches over him from heaven, serving as the inspiration for the person and athlete he has become. With this solid foundation and unwavering faith, Fabio de Jesus faces his debut with the certainty that "everything has already worked out," ready to cross the finish line and honor all his hard work and dedication.
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