Sports
Kiko Santos: Mountain Do's Pioneering Journey in Brazilian Trail Running
Discover how visionary Kiko Santos transformed his passion for adventure into a trail running legacy, from Brazil to the world's most extreme deserts.
In this episode of Stemma Na Trilha, Sidney Togumi chats with Kiko Santos, founder of Mountain Do, Brazil's oldest trail running race. Kiko shares his journey, from a humble childhood and love for nature to creating one of the world's largest trail circuits. He details the challenges of being a pioneer, the event's evolution, and his optimistic vision for the sport's future in the country.
On the Stemma Na Trilha program, host Sidney Togumi welcomed Kiko Santos, founder and creator of Mountain Do, Brazil's oldest trail running race. Kiko, an authentic "manezinho" (a local from Florianópolis), shared his inspiring journey, which led him from a simple childhood and passion for nature to becoming one of the most influential names in the national and international trail running scene.
PUBLICIDADE (GAM) — 1250x250
The Seed of Trail Running in Brazil
Kiko's passion for nature began early, running barefoot through the woods and delving into the scouting movement. His athletic life evolved, moving through windsurfing and paragliding, activities that allowed him to explore Florianópolis by land, sea, and air. The big turning point, however, occurred in 1995 during a trip to Switzerland. While paragliding in Lucerne, Kiko stumbled upon a trail race, which he describes as "love at first sight."
This experience led him to in-depth research on the sport, which he realized had immense potential in Brazil. By 1996, Kiko had already registered the Mountain Do brand – a name inspired by a Runner's World magazine section that meant "do mountain." In the same year, he opened Superação Academia in Florianópolis, and among the activities offered, trail running was already included. For four to five years, he organized free races to practically learn the challenges and nuances of a sporting event, preparing the ground for what would become Mountain Do.
Challenges and Overcoming: Building a Legacy
Being a pioneer in Brazil meant having no benchmarks. Kiko recounts that the first three years of Mountain Do, which had its first official edition in Florianópolis in 2003, ran at a loss. The inaugural race, with 248 athletes starting, generated a significant deficit. Salvation came in 2005 when Fiat became a sponsor, ensuring the project's continuity. This experience taught Kiko the importance of resilience and transforming passion into a sustainable business.
Initially, Mountain Do adopted a relay format (quartet and octet) to make the race accessible, as the trail runner public was non-existent. Gradually, individual distances were introduced. The pursuit of quality and the need not to "clog the trails" with too many participants led to the multiplication of national stages, transforming Mountain Do into a sports tourism circuit with races in iconic locations like Costão do Santinho, Fernando de Noronha, Campos do Jordão, and Chapada dos Veadeiros.
Conquering the World: From Atacama to the Sahara
Kiko's vision expanded beyond Brazilian borders, driven by the athletes' own desires. In 2012, Mountain Do held its first international race in the Atacama Desert, Chile. Kiko recalled the immense logistical challenges of bringing everything from Brazil, including water, to the desert, demonstrating a unique commitment to event quality. Initially, these races were exclusive to Brazilians.
Not satisfied, Kiko sought new frontiers. In 2013, the event reached Ushuaia, in Argentine Patagonia, at the "End of the World." The participants' passion for running in the snow inspired Kiko to dedicate six years to acquiring the necessary experience – learning to ski and handle high mountains – before launching the winter stage in 2017, held in Cerro Castor. The third desert conquered was the Sahara in Morocco, also in 2017. Inspired by the legendary Marathon des Sables, Kiko created a more accessible format for many who dreamed of running in a desert but lacked the qualification or resources for the traditional race. Currently, Mountain Do is present in three deserts (Atacama, Sahara, and Namib Desert, with a fourth underway) and is in 12 countries.
A Vision for the Future: The Explosive Growth of Trail Running
Kiko Santos expresses contagious optimism about the future of trail running in Brazil. For him, the sport is still a "little seed" with frightening growth potential. He argues that with the saturation of road races on repetitive courses, runners are seeking new experiences and challenges, pushing them toward the trails. Observing trends in European circuits and races like the Tarawera Ultramarathon in New Zealand, Kiko predicts a "frenzied explosion" of trail running in the coming years.
Regarding attracting sponsors, Kiko acknowledges that trail races might not have the same participant volume as large asphalt marathons. However, he emphasizes that brands seek the "different" and the "unique experience" that trail running offers. He cited Caixa Econômica, a partner for 17 years, and Santander, which has been investing in trail running, as examples of companies that understand this sensibility and aim to connect their brands with remarkable stories and experiences.
The Mountain Do Experience: More Than Just a Race
According to Kiko, the main differentiator of Mountain Do is delivering a complete experience. This is reflected in everything from the athlete's kit, which includes a multi-purpose towel, neck tube, safety whistle, squeeze bottle, and themed stage cap, to the race structure and awards. Kiko recalled Sidney Togumi's experience at Mountain Do Costão do Santinho, an event renowned for its grand structure, located at Brazil's largest resort.
Despite the inherent challenges of organizing events in natural and remote environments, Kiko emphasizes that passion and meticulous attention to detail are what build athlete loyalty. He uses the analogy that when something is done with pleasure, difficulties are overcome, and feedback from the running community is the main fuel to continue innovating and expanding the circuit.
Kiko Santos's journey is a testament to passion, vision, and resilience. His dedication to transforming trail running from an unknown niche into a sports phenomenon in Brazil is a legacy that inspires and demonstrates the sport's potential to connect people with nature and unforgettable experiences.
PUBLICIDADE (GAM) — 1250x250
