Rio Marathon on the Rise, Cape Town Major, and Comrades Ahead

Rio Marathon: Controversies and Improvements

Despite its successes, the Rio Marathon generated discussions. Controversies included some elite athletes missing tangents and, especially, crowd bottlenecks in the final kilometers (around km 37), which, while energizing amateurs, can impact professional performance. A video filmed by Fabio Bessa about the crowd's late-race surge went viral, showcasing the event's intensity.

Thiago Calamura shared a personal experience involving the irregular transfer of a bib number in the half marathon. The situation sparked an important debate about amateur runners swapping bibs and the issue of insurance, a point raised by Sérgio Rocha, who emphasizes the importance of regularization. The internet also generated discussions about Felipe Violandi, who ran the marathon in jeans in 2h47min, causing questions and amusement about the use of unconventional attire in high-performance races.

Fortunately, the Rio Marathon showed significant improvements over the previous year, especially in kit distribution, which was much faster and more organized. The start waves also worked well, and enforcement against "pipocas" (unregistered runners) was more effective. In a sign of confidence in the event, Adidas renewed its sponsorship until 2031, expanding its Expo store and hosting various activations, consolidating the Rio Marathon as a pillar of its strategy in Brazilian running.

The Ambition to Become a Major

The Rio Marathon took another step in its ambition to join the elite group of Abbott World Marathon Majors. For the first time, representatives from the organization were present at the event to closely observe the race, its operations, and the runners' experience. Although Dan Stone, CEO of AbbottWMM, stated that the visit aimed at knowledge exchange and monitoring evolution, rather than an immediate formal candidacy, the presence is a clear sign of interest.

Luiz Felipe Poço, organizer of the Cali Marathon and a key figure in Sydney's inclusion process, highlighted that the path to becoming a Major is long and requires a ladder of certifications, such as the Elite label (which Rio already has) and Gold. Furthermore, it involves complex issues of public safety, transportation, and an exclusive focus on the marathon distance, unlike Rio's current format with multiple simultaneous distances. The discussion also touched upon the high cost of entry and the need to reserve spots for international athletes, changing the event's profile.

Cape Town Marathon: Africa's New Major

The Cape Town Marathon has been officially confirmed as the eighth Abbott World Marathon Major race, marking the first Major held on African soil. Its circuit debut is scheduled for May 23, 2027, and entries for the lottery are already open. The race already boasts impressive credentials: in 2023, Ethiopian Hussen Mohammed Essa won with 2h04min55s, setting the fastest time ever recorded in a marathon in Africa.

Carlos Gueiros, one of the hosts, participated in the 2023 edition and has already received a provisional star, which will soon be made official. Tio Maicão emphasized that the race reserves two-thirds of its spots for African runners, making it quite competitive for international athletes. The beauty of the course, with stunning views of Table Mountain, is a major draw, although it has faced challenges such as cancellation due to strong winds. Compared to other Majors, the Cape Town Marathon may present itself as a more financially accessible option for many international runners.

Comrades Marathon: The 85.7 km Challenge

Cado Santos, one of the hosts, is in South Africa to tackle his first Comrades Marathon, taking place on Sunday. The 99th edition will cover a 85.7 km course, the shortest historical distance for the race, with a 12-hour time limit for completion. Over 21,600 runners are registered, and the race features seven cut-off points along the route, requiring rigorous planning. Aid stations are a spectacle in themselves, with tons of fruits, potatoes, biscuits, and chocolates distributed, along with 3,000 cardboard bins to reduce environmental impact.

Prize money for the elite reaches 8.2 million rand (approximately 2.5 million Brazilian reais), and South African Gerda Steyn will be seeking her fifth title. Comrades coverage can be followed on the race's official YouTube channels and social media. Tio Maicão, who ran Comrades in 2019 (an "up" run year), shared his experiences about the resilience needed to overcome the ultra, emphasizing that, unlike a marathon, there is time to "find a second wind" along the course, although the muscular and mental challenge is immense. The race is so intense that athletes like Adriano Bastos and Tio Maicão's cardiologist reported difficulties finding motivation for other races after Comrades.

News Roundup: Running World Briefs

In a quick news roundup, Stemma Radar brought information about:

• Mizuno Wave Rider 30: The launch of the new shoe model is scheduled for June 16, celebrating 30 years of the line, with a "revamped" and more modern design.

• Football Player Running Distances: A survey revealed that outfield soccer players cover between 9 and 13 km in 90 minutes of play, with midfielders leading the statistics and goalkeepers covering between 3 and 5 km. Thiago Calamura joked that he runs more.

• Kelelcha at Buenos Aires Half Marathon: The Ethiopian, known for his impressive marathon debut (2h01min41s in London, finishing 2nd), confirmed his presence at the Buenos Aires Half Marathon, generating anticipation for his performance at this distance.

• São Paulo Marathon for R$75: A flash promotion, valid until June 15 for 3,000 registrations via Pix, offered spots for the 42 km International São Paulo Marathon at a very accessible price, as a "quick cash" strategy for the organization.