Sports
Fellipe Santos Analyzes Ironman 70.3 Curitiba and Course
Local athlete breaks down Araucária route changes, Passaúna swim conditions, and podium contenders.
In an exclusive interview with Stemma, triathlete and coach Fellipe Santos reflected on the excitement of competing at home in Ironman 70.3 Curitiba. The local standout evaluated the revised bike route and shared his podium favorites across the amateur and professional fields.
The debut of the Ironman 70.3 circuit in Curitiba holds a special meaning for Fellipe Santos. An experienced athlete and coach guiding dozens of athletes racing the event, he celebrates bringing a competition of this scale to the capital of Paraná. The energy across the city has been intense, even while sharing the weekend spotlight with a major local half marathon, reflecting the enthusiastic reception from Curitiba's endurance community.
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Technical changes to the bike course and safety in Araucária
One of the most discussed topics leading up to race week was the adjustment to the bike course. Originally designed to use a highway with heavy commercial and truck traffic, the route was redirected to the Araucária region. For Fellipe, although the original layout was faster and more flowing, the change was essential to ensure athlete safety and the long-term viability of the race on the calendar.
On the new course in Araucária, athletes encounter high-quality asphalt, closed roads, and a scenic rural backdrop surrounded by farmland. However, the route is more technical and punchy with rolling elevation, which should add roughly 10 minutes to the bike split compared to earlier estimates. In Fellipe's view, lighter athletes may hold an advantage on the climbs, while the final 15-kilometer flat stretch along Arthur Bernardes Avenue offers welcome relief before transitioning to the run.
Passaúna swim and a familiar running ground
The swim leg at Passaúna Dam is expected to deliver favorable conditions for triathletes. Featuring clean water and mild temperatures, forecasts of moderate wind point to minimal chop on the reservoir. The half marathon then unfolds inside the park where Fellipe's coaching group is based—a venue he has trained in since childhood, knowing every subtle variation in the running surface.
Regarding his own race, Fellipe enters with reduced running volume following a recovery phase, having logged just four weeks of run training. His strategy is to set an aggressive pace in the water and on the bike to remain competitive from start to finish.
Favorites across amateur and professional fields
In the amateur field, Fellipe highlights a high-caliber start list, noting names such as Guilherme Manocchio, Santiago Ascenço, Guilherme Guido, and youngster Lucas Assenso, whom he identifies as a top contender for the overall age-group win thanks to his agility on the demanding bike course.
Among the professionals, the standout favorite is Miguel Hidalgo, whose technical edge and international pedigree place him as the clear frontrunner in the men's race, with athletes like Toad and Reinaldo contending for podium spots. In the women's professional division, Pâmela Oliveira stands out as a formidable contender, joined by Pietra Meneghini and Maria Andrade in the podium hunt.
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