Sports
Justino Pedro: Two-time Rio Champion Heads to 2024 Marathon
Two-time Rio Marathon champion Justino Pedro shares his journey of resilience and expectations for the upcoming race.
In an exclusive interview with Stemma Sports, Justino Pedro, two-time champion of the Rio Marathon, opened up about his recent performance in the Hamburg Marathon and his intense preparation for the 2024 edition. He recalled his 2021 record and the challenges he overcame to become a road running icon.
In a revealing conversation with the Stemma Sports team during their Rio Marathon coverage, two-time champion Justino Pedro shared details of his journey, challenges overcome, and expectations for the 2024 edition. Alongside Renan Telles and one of the hosts, Justino revisited significant moments of his career and his tireless dedication to the sport.
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Challenges in Hamburg and the Pursuit of a Personal Best
Justino Pedro began the interview by discussing his participation in the Hamburg Marathon, held on April 26. He was aiming to improve his PB (Personal Best), which stands at 2:12 in Seville and Frankfurt. Despite good preparation, his result of 2:16:55 fell short of expectations, mainly due to adverse weather conditions. "Getting there at 3, 4 degrees, I suffered quite a lot," Justino explained, highlighting the difficulty of adapting to intense cold coming from a tropical region. He was on pace for 2:14 until kilometer 35, but the weather caused him to "hit the wall" at the end.
A Champion's Journey: From the Countryside to a Record
One of the highlights of Justino's career was his record-breaking performance at the 2021 Rio Marathon, with a time of 2:13. This victory held special significance, as it occurred in a post-pandemic period and after a personal recovery process, which he openly described. "I was coming from a sequence of... two years of the pandemic... and I had come out of a phase... of alcohol," he revealed. Working in the countryside and juggling training, Justino relied on the support of his coach, Marciano, who encouraged him to focus on the marathon. His full dedication during the period without races bore fruit, and he became champion with a time whose results he still enjoys today. He also highlighted his second victory at the Rio Marathon in 2022, with a time of 2:16, solidifying his status as a two-time champion.
Preparation and Expectations for the 2024 Rio Marathon
Despite the recent race in Hamburg, Justino Pedro is focused on the 2024 Rio Marathon. He revealed that there were plans to run the New Balance Porto Alegre Marathon, but he opted for the Rio race instead. He recently participated in a half-marathon in Petrolina, the Seiva do Vale, where he finished sixth overall and was the top Brazilian in a 15 km race with a time of 45:57. Justino feels more prepared now than he did in Hamburg, after making some training adjustments. "I'm sure I'm going to have a good race," he affirmed, showing optimism and determination to give his best and once again achieve a great mark in the Marvelous City.
Justino Pedro's story is a testament to resilience and focus. His journey, marked by personal triumphs and athletic achievements, inspires everyone seeking their best results. Expectations are high to see two-time champion Justino Pedro in action again, aiming for another memorable feat on the streets of Rio.
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