Sports
Luis Felipe Posso Unveils Eliud Kipchoge's NB 42K POA Marathon Journey
Discover how the world's greatest marathoner arrived in Porto Alegre and the expectations for the race.
Elite athlete agent Luis Felipe Posso details the behind-the-scenes of Eliud Kipchoge's arrival for the NB 42K Porto Alegre Marathon. He explains the negotiation process and logistical challenges overcome to bring the athletics icon. Posso also shares performance expectations and race paces for the event.
Join Fabio Bessa, host of Radar Stemma, for an exclusive interview with Luis Felipe Posso, live from the New Balance 42k Porto Alegre 2026 Expo. Posso, a renowned athlete agent and key figure in organizing high-level races, shares details of Eliud Kipchoge's arrival in the Gaúcha capital. With experience helping marathons like Sydney become 'majors' and the Rio de Janeiro marathon earn gold label status, Posso offers a unique insight into the world of elite athletics.
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Kipchoge's Journey to Porto Alegre
Eliud Kipchoge's presence in Porto Alegre marks a milestone for Latin American sports. Luis Felipe Posso explains that the idea originated with Marilson Gomes dos Santos, his former athlete, who envisioned the potential for growth of the Gaúcha marathon. After a meeting in New York with Cláudio, Rodrigo, and Cleimar from the race organization, the project gained momentum. Despite interest from several other cities, Porto Alegre stood out due to the dedication of the organization, the mayor, and the sponsors, who showed great willingness to expedite complex negotiations and logistical agreements. Known in Kipchoge's circle as a "football city," Porto Alegre now welcomes him for one of the greatest challenges of his career.
Kipchoge is visibly happy and focused on competing. He appreciates flat courses, which makes the NB 42k Porto Alegre Marathon ideal for his style. The athlete's goal is to run for real, as demonstrated in London with a time of 2:05, and the expectation is for him to be an absolute protagonist in the race.
The Work Behind the Elite Field
As an athlete agent, Luis Felipe Posso plays a crucial role in forming a marathon's elite "field." His work involves a combination of strategies: his company promotes the race and its prize money to global agents, actively seeks specific athletes, and, when applicable, includes runners he directly represents. For the NB 42k Porto Alegre, Kipchoge's mere presence already acted as a significant draw, attracting other champions from major marathons like Frankfurt, Shanghai, and Munich, and elevating the competition's level beyond elite label requirements.
During the race weekend, the routine for Posso and his team, which includes Marilson Gomes dos Santos and Adauto, is intense. They are dedicated to ensuring that Kipchoge and the other elite athletes are completely focused on the race, handling every detail, from accommodation and nutrition to training. The goal is to shield them from any external "noise," allowing them to concentrate solely on the marathon. On race day, his role is to monitor the start and then wait.
Marathon Expectations and Paces
The NB 42k Porto Alegre 2026 Marathon promises strong emotions. Posso reveals that the men's field includes around eight athletes with times under 2:09, and the women's field has six runners under 2:30. The pacers for the women are set for a pace of 2:27, with the expectation that the winner will complete the race between 2:27 and 2:28. For the men, the initial pace will be 2:08.
Regarding the Brazilian athletes, there's high anticipation for Fábio de Jesus's debut at this distance. Posso believes that if Fábio is well-prepared, he can keep up with the leaders without major risks. However, the key to fast times, like 2:27 or 2:28, will crucially depend on climatic conditions, especially the wind. Porto Alegre, which can experience wind variations, will play a decisive role. If there's no wind on Sunday, the athletes have the potential to achieve impressive marks.
The presence of a sports giant like Eliud Kipchoge and the meticulous work of professionals like Luis Felipe Posso elevate the stature of the NB 42k Porto Alegre Marathon. It's a testament to how dedication to detail and the pursuit of excellence transform a sporting event into an unforgettable experience, both for athletes and the public. The anticipation is palpable to see history being written on the streets of Porto Alegre.
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