Sports
Marlei Willers: From NB42k Porto Alegre to Global Athletics Elite
Marathoner Marlei Willers shares her journey of resilience, victories, and the thrill of running at home and meeting a legend.
Brazilian elite runner Marlei Willers spoke candidly about her athletic career leading up to the NB 42k Porto Alegre Marathon. She details how she achieved global podium finishes and wisely manages high performance, especially at 48 years old. An inspiring conversation about the passion for running, overcoming challenges, and meeting Eliud Kipchoge.
During the broadcast of the New Balance 42k Porto Alegre, Stemma Sports welcomed athlete Marlei Willers, one of Brazil's leading figures in athletics, for an exclusive chat. Led by Fabio Bessa, Marlei shared valuable insights into her career, managing high performance, and the thrill of competing in her home state, in addition to a memorable encounter.
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Resilience and Anxiety Management: The Path to High Performance
Despite her vast experience and achievements, Marlei Willers reveals that pre-race anxiety is a constant companion. "Of course, we always get anxious, right? Because there's no challenge that doesn't make us anxious," explains the athlete. However, over the years and many races, she has learned to mature and manage this anxiety, preventing it from harming her performance. Representing not only professionals but also amateur athletes, Marlei emphasizes the importance of resilience and hope in sports.
Her track record in Porto Alegre is notable, with a victory at the Porto Alegre International Marathon in 2023, completed in 2 hours, 40 minutes, and 59 seconds. Additionally, she is a two-time champion of the Fila Marathon in Curitiba, solidifying her successful career.
Triumph in New York and Building a Life in Sports
One of the highlights of Marlei's career was the 2023 New York City Marathon. She was not only the best Brazilian in the race but also won the title of world champion in the master 45-49 category, finishing 18th overall. Marlei describes the experience as "immensely grand," emphasizing that it was the culmination of a lifetime dedicated to sports, even though she started running at nearly 40 years old. "It wasn't 4 or 5 months of training for a marathon; it was almost 8 years dedicated to road running," she points out.
The athlete recalled a quote from a local journalist in her hometown, Morro Reuter, who once wrote: "From Morro Reuter to the world." At the time, she thought it was an exaggeration, but upon crossing the finish line in New York, she understood its meaning. This journey, though started later in life, is marked by overcoming challenges, including those of menopause, which require constant reinvention and remodeling to maintain high performance.
Balancing Performance and Recovery: The Mature Athlete's Awareness
Recently, Marlei also shone at the Paraná International Marathon, achieving the third-best time. Asked about the frequency of races in her calendar, she emphasizes the importance of recovery, especially at 48 years old. "Today, Marlei is more focused on what? On my recovery, my well-being, taking care of my health to be in good shape," she states.
Although this year she will participate in four marathons – including Valencia, Spain, as her main "target" in December, and the Fila Marathon in August – her strategy differs from that of younger athletes. She selects her races and focuses on quality training and recovery cycles, avoiding the wear and tear of many short competitions. Injury prevention is a priority, as she understands that an injury at 48 has a very different impact than it would for younger athletes.
Sports Connecting: The Encounter with Eliud Kipchoge
A moment of great emotion for Marlei in Porto Alegre is the presence of Eliud Kipchoge, the legend of athletics. "Never in my life did I imagine getting close to the legend," she confesses. Having started running for fun, to travel and meet people, Marlei never anticipated she would achieve high performance to the point of visiting Iten, Kenya – Kipchoge's birthplace – and, later, having the opportunity to see him running on the streets of Porto Alegre. For her, these are "things only sports provide," a testament to the power of running in connecting people and realizing dreams.
Marlei Willers' story is an inspiring reminder that passion, resilience, and dedication can lead to extraordinary achievements, regardless of the starting point. May her performance at the NB 42k Porto Alegre Marathon be another successful chapter in this incredible journey.
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