Radar Stemma #50: Records, Mountain Elite & Global News

Campos do Jordão Half Marathon Debuts on International Calendar

Making its debut with World Athletics certification, the 1st Campos do Jordão International Half Marathon challenged runners at high altitude in the Serra da Mantiqueira, starting and finishing at Parque Capivari. The event also marked the revival of the city's traditional training track after two decades.

In the 21K, Kenyan runners dominated: William Kibor won the elite men's race in 1:04:31, while Viola Kosgei took the women's title in 1:16:58. Brazil made a strong podium showing with Giovani dos Santos in second and Olympic marathoner Paulo Paula finishing third in the men's event. In the women's field, Cleidiane Barbosa and Franciele Monalisa locked in top spots. The previous day, the road mile (1.6 km) saw victories from André Carlos Souza Sales (4:05) and Julie Ferreira da Silva Abraão (4:57). In the 10K, Kenyan runner Wilson Maina claimed the title, followed by Fábio Jesus and Ederson Vilela.

Historic Milestones in Barcelona and New York

The international racing weekend delivered remarkable times across the board. At the Zurich Marató Barcelona, Ethiopia's Fotyen Tesfay had a stunning debut, winning in 2:10:53—a new course record and just 57 seconds shy of the women's world record. On the men's side, Kenya's Abel Chelangate topped the podium in 2:04:57.

Meanwhile in the United States, the United Airlines NYC Half brought more than 30,000 runners to the streets of New York City. Kenya's Hellen Obiri, competing for On, won the women's race in 1:06:33, breaking the event record. In the men's division, South Africa's Adrian Wildschutt captured the title by breaking the one-hour barrier in 59:30.

FPA Awards Honor the Best in São Paulo Road Racing

The São Paulo Athletics Federation (FPA) Excellence Awards gathered race organizers and key industry figures in São Paulo. Among the winners, Iguana Sports' SP City Marathon was voted the state's best marathon by popular vote, while the São Paulo International Marathon took home the Diamond Technical category trophy.

Popular voting also crowned Chelso Sports as the best regional race organizer. The event highlighted the strength of TF Sports, which engaged over 107,000 athletes across the Track&Field Open Box Run Series, as well as Vega Sports, recognized for its award-winning events like the ASICS Golden Run and the Saint Silvester Road Race.

Fila Builds Immersive Running Experience at JK Iguatemi

Fila launched a special brand activation at the JK Iguatemi shopping mall in São Paulo, transforming the Cubo JK venue into a 19,300 sq ft (1,796 m²) space dedicated to running. The showcase highlights the brand's latest innovations, including the Sky Foam platform and the Speed Rocker model.

Open to the running community, the schedule features practical training sessions at Parque do Povo alongside invited running clubs and crews, along with the Runner's High experience led by coach André Sanches.

Strava's Marcha das Minas Gathers Runners at Botanical Garden

Strava held the fourth edition of Marcha das Minas at the São Paulo Botanical Garden. The meetup brought together more than 80 women for a morning featuring a 4 km run, wear-testing of the Nike Vomero Plus, a yoga session, and brunch.

Data released by the platform shows a clear shift in user behavior: women's clubs grew 46% over the past year, while the use of safety features like the Heatmap increased by 180%.

Adidas Adizero Evo SL Smashes Global Sales Records

Establishing itself as a go-to choice for both daily training and casual wear, the Adidas Adizero Evo SL has reached massive milestones: the model is approaching 10 million pairs sold worldwide. The shoe gained widespread momentum by combining premium cushioning technology with a competitive price point within the German brand's performance lineup.

Single Shoe Service Launched for Athletes with Disabilities

Adidas launched its Single Shoe Service across 22 European countries, an initiative tailored for individuals with lower-limb differences or amputations. The program allows customers to purchase a single shoe for 50% of the retail price across all in-stock models at corporate retail stores. The project was developed in direct partnership with Paralympic committees and adaptive athlete communities.

Ironman Cracks Down on Illegal Bib Transfers

The Ironman organization confirmed two-year suspensions for athletes caught using someone else's registration, bib number, or timing chip at Ironman and Ironman 70.3 events in Brazil. The penalty adheres to competition rules and can be extended globally by the World Triathlon Corporation (WTC), aiming to combat unauthorized bib trading and protect the integrity of World Championship qualifying slots.

Boston Marathon Revamps Wave Starts for 2026

To optimize runner flow and streamline transportation logistics from Boston to the start line in Hopkinton, the Boston Marathon announced it will expand to six start waves beginning in 2026, replacing the traditional four-wave system. Starts will be staggered between 10:00 AM and 11:21 AM in waves ranging from 3,200 to 7,100 participants, easing initial course congestion.

São Paulo International Marathon Marks 30th Anniversary with Record Prize Purse

The São Paulo International Marathon is celebrating its 30th edition with a total prize purse of up to R$ 156,000, including performance bonuses and financial incentives for top Brazilian finishers. The men's and women's champions will each take home R$ 30,000, alongside smartwatches presented by the Huawei Challenge.

Live! Acquires 60% of Pink Cheeks in Strategic Merger

Activewear brand Live! announced the acquisition of a 60% stake in Pink Cheeks, a Brazilian pioneer in sports cosmetics and sun care products for athletes. The operation will remain independent, integrating technical apparel, sun protection, and functional cosmetics across an expanded distribution network.

World's Shortest Road Race Celebrates St. Patrick's Day

In La Crosse, Wisconsin, runners competed in the quirky Saint Patrick's Day 0.01K—a race measuring exactly 10 meters (33 feet). Designed with a fun, lighthearted vibe including race T-shirts and post-race beer, the sprint started and finished promptly at 6:00 PM. Over the years, the event has raised more than $100,000 for the Hunger Task Force charity.