Kipchoge Arrives in Brazil, Stemma Radar Brings Running News

Ibirapuera Track Reopens with International Standard Upgrades

After extensive renovations, the traditional Ícaro de Castro Melo track, located in the Constâncio Vaz Guimarães Sports Complex in São Paulo, is officially back. The stadium received a new synthetic surface, had its lanes expanded from eight to nine, along with improvements to jumping and throwing areas, new screens, and adaptations to meet World Athletics standards.

The reopening marks a new phase in the venue's management. While the state government remains responsible for administration, the Confederação Brasileira de Atletismo (CBAt) takes over technical operation, track maintenance, and the organization of high-performance competitions and training. The new venue will debut between July 23rd and 26th, with the return of the Troféu Brasil Interclubes de Atletismo (Brazilian Interclub Athletics Trophy), the main competition on the national calendar, after a 12-year absence from Ibirapuera. The track is the only one in Latin America with nine lanes and Class 1 certification.

AirTrack: Climate Intelligence for Runners

The AirTrack platform, set to launch soon, introduces the concept of climate intelligence to the running world. Unlike conventional weather forecast apps, this service interprets how factors such as heat, humidity, wind, and solar radiation can impact a runner's pace, hydration, clothing choices, and safety. The tool provides data on thermal index, humidity, wind, solar radiation, rain, and lightning risks, utilizing a high-precision Swiss meteorological forecasting platform.

Based on this information, AirTrack provides practical recommendations, such as the ideal time to reduce pace, increase hydration, or adjust clothing. The platform aims to complement apps like Strava and Garmin, helping runners make informed decisions even before starting their workout. It also offers race analysis, creating a climate dossier with forecasts for the start time and hydration and safety strategies along the course.

Asics Golden Run Rio Celebrates 15 Years

Rio de Janeiro is gearing up for the 15th edition of the Asics Golden Run, one of the country's premier road running circuits. Approximately 8,000 runners will compete in the 10 km race, starting at Aterro do Flamengo, and the half marathon, which begins in Leblon. Celebrations kick off even before the start, with the Asics House hosting training sessions and activations at iconic city locations during the event week.

On race day, participants will have access to recovery areas with massages and social spaces. The Asics Golden Run also stands out for its inclusion initiatives, offering medals with Braille inscriptions and awards for para-athletes (PCD), as well as sustainability efforts aimed at reducing the event's environmental impact. The race will be broadcast live on the Corrida no Ar channel.

Olympikus Documentary "Brazil, The Running Nation"

Olympikus has released "Brazil, The Running Nation," a mini-documentary that summarizes the "50 Years, 50 Races" project. Produced by Na Buena Onda and narrated by Caio Braz, the film follows the brand's journey through 50 races in 18 states and 29 cities, bringing together over 300,000 runners. The documentary highlights the diversity of Brazil's running culture, featuring inspiring stories from athletes such as Paulo César Silva Oliveira, who ran in Roraima in tribute to his son; Jefferson Dias and Thais Damásio, ultramarathoners from Chapada Diamantina; Luana Correia, the last-place finisher in the Porto Alegre Marathon; and Márcio Rosa, who completed 100 km alone at Volta ao Lago in Brasília. The film is available for free on Olympikus's YouTube channel.

New Generation of Super Shoes from On Running

On Running has unveiled the new generation of its super marathon shoes: the Cloudboom Strike 2 and the Light Speed Cloudboom Strike 2. The models feature significant updates to the foam, carbon plate, and cushioning system, along with CloudTec® Fury technology, developed to improve impact absorption and energy return. Interestingly, the shoe's design features a gap in the midsole, contributing to its lightness and performance. The Light Speed version weighs just 158g, with a robot-produced, seamless upper, and, according to the brand, provides a 1.6% gain in running economy. The Cloudboom Strike 2 weighs 191g.

The new models have already been successfully used by elite athletes. Kenyan Hellen Obiri used the Cloudboom Strike 2 to improve her time by 1 minute and 48 seconds at the London Marathon, demonstrating the potential of these new releases.

Adidas Under New Leadership in Brazil

Adidas has announced changes in its leadership in Brazil. Jerome Lavey, who previously led the brand's operations in Chile, is taking over as General Manager, succeeding Olivier Giannini, who will transition to a strategic role in Europe. The change comes during a period of strong growth for Adidas in the Brazilian running segment. Lavey, who has been with the brand since 2004, brings extensive experience and is now expected to define Adidas's new strategies in the country.

Rio-Niterói Bridge Race: Last Spots and Sustainability

For those dreaming of running across the Rio-Niterói Bridge, the last spots for the Bridge Challenge, scheduled for August 2nd, are available. Registration can be done via the Ticket Sports website and costs 499 Brazilian Reais. The race requires a technical index, which can be proven with an official race certificate or an activity recorded on Strava. Minimum indices vary by distance: for 15 km, 1h47 (men) and 1h51 (women); for 21 km, 2h30 (men) and 2h35 (women); and for 42 km, 5h00 (men) and 5h10 (women).

The race organizers plan to replicate the sustainability actions from previous editions. Last year, plastic cups were replaced with water sachets, with over 90% disposed of correctly. The Corre Mais Limpo (Run Cleaner) project also collaborated by installing protective nets to prevent waste from reaching Guanabara Bay, directing over 130 kg of materials for recycling.

Tips to Avoid a Mid-Run Bathroom Emergency

A common issue among runners is the unexpected need to use the restroom during a race, the famous "number two" that can ruin a personal best. Runner's World magazine, with the help of gastroenterology and sports nutrition specialists, has compiled tips to reduce the chances of an unscheduled stop. Recommendations include: identifying foods that cause discomfort, reducing fat and fiber intake the day before the race, controlling excessive caffeine and baking soda, managing pre-race nervousness, creating a routine to use the restroom before running, and maintaining balanced nutrition and hydration during the race. The final mantra is always: never try anything new on race day.

Study Reveals: Men "Hit the Wall" More Often in Marathons

A study published in Science Reports, which analyzed over 873,000 Berlin Marathon finishers between 1999 and 2025, found an interesting gender difference. Men are almost twice as likely to "hit the wall" in the second half of the race, a phenomenon defined as a loss of at least 20% of pace after the marathon's halfway point. This occurred in 17.6% of men versus 9.7% of women. Among the fastest runners (sub-3-hour finishers), the difference was even greater: men were about six times more likely to "hit the wall" than women. Hypotheses for this disparity include physiological differences (women tend to preserve glycogen stores better) and a behavioral factor (men often take more risks and start at a faster-than-ideal pace).

From Rock to the Road: Kasabian's Vocalist and the Marathon

Serge Pizzorno, vocalist and songwriter for the English band Kasabian, graced the cover of Runner's World as he recounted his transition from a party lifestyle to running. At 45, Pizzorno revealed that running was fundamental for him to regain physical and mental balance, especially after taking over lead vocals for the band in 2020. Today, he trains three times a week and aims to complete the New York Marathon under 3 hours and 30 minutes. In a curious statement, he explained that his endurance for long distances was forged in nightlife, spending nights on his feet and managing hydration and fatigue, which, for him, served as a peculiar training for marathons. The band is known for hits like "Fire," "Club Foot," and "Underdog."