Robot Runner, Records, Sustainability: This Week's Stemma Radar

Paris Marathon: Women's Record and Debate on Sustainable Hydration

The 2024 Paris Marathon, one of the world's most iconic races, celebrated female leadership. With around 60,000 participants, the race saw one-third women registered and almost half of the runners debuting at the distance. Ethiopian Shure Demise won the women's race with 2h18min34s, setting a new course record and one of the best times of the year. Her achievement is even more significant as it was her first major competition after maternity, demonstrating women's ability to overcome biological challenges and return to high performance, a point highlighted by Janaína Lepre during the show. In the men's race, victory went to the Italian-Ethiopian Yemaneberhan Crippa, with 2h05min16s.

A notable, and controversial, point was the hydration policy. Aligned with the city's environmental guidelines, the organization did not distribute disposable cups, requiring athletes to bring their own containers. This measure sparked debate about its practicality and real environmental impact, with many runners struggling to hydrate at the 13 aid stations. The hosts raised the question of whether the sustainability message, even with a small environmental impact, was worth the discomfort and extra time for athletes in the race.

Milan Marathon: A 90-Year-Old Marathoner Who Inspires

The Milan Marathon, with its new, faster course, saw Kenyan Vitalis Kibiwott win the men's race with 2h06min35s, and Ethiopian Yalemzerf Yechale win the women's race with 2h20min15s. However, the big news came from Giuseppe Damato, a 90-year-old Italian who completed the race in 4h30min30s, setting a new world record in the 90+ category. Damato, who started running at 73 and has now completed 17 marathons, stated that he intends to keep running for another decade, a true example of longevity and passion for the sport.

Two Oceans: Brutality, Beauty, and Human Limits

In South Africa, the 56 km Two Oceans ultramarathon lived up to its reputation as the "world's most beautiful race," combining stunning Cape Town landscapes with an extremely demanding course, including tough climbs and 700 meters of elevation gain. In the women's race, South African Gerda Steyn, known for her Comrades Marathon victories, secured her seventh win in the event with 3h27min43s. In the men's race, Arthur Jantijes won with 3h09min25s. The most striking moment was the image of the third-place finisher crawling across the finish line, a testament to the race's toughness and the human capacity to overcome physical limits, sparking a discussion about greater female endurance in ultra-distance races, as previously covered in Café com Tênis.

News Roundup

Unitree H1 Robot Runner Challenges Usain Bolt

Unitree Robotics, a Chinese company, impressed the world by showcasing its humanoid robot Unitree H1 running 100 meters in approximately 10 seconds. This time approaches Usain Bolt's world record (9.58s), demonstrating significant progress in robotics (the previous record for bipedal robots was 24.73s). The robot, with 80 cm (31.5 inches) legs, promises to revolutionize the perception of humanoid speed.

Boston and London Pre-Marathon News: Absences and Big Names

The upcoming Boston Marathon suffered a significant setback: the 2024 champion, Peres Jepchirchir, is out due to a stress fracture. Despite this, the women's elite field remains strong. Under Armour, in a notable marketing initiative, will have influencer Valery Melo (from Tênis Certo) deliver the Charged Nonstop model, produced in Brazil, to the 2025 champion, Sharon Lockett, as part of a "Boston mission" promising performance and content. A fun detail highlighted on the show was the change in direction of the unicorn on the Boston logo, a recurring joke among runners. The London Marathon also felt the absence of Peres Jepchirchir but confirmed the participation of Sebastian Vettel, four-time Formula 1 champion, who will run the 42 km to raise funds for charities. Other names like Papai Pig, training with Joe Wicks, and actress Cynthia Harivo, are also confirmed.

Mizuno Neo Aura MPR Celebrates 35 Years of Sports Coaching

Mizuno launched the Neo Aura MPR, a collaboration celebrating the 35th anniversary of MPR Assessoria Esportiva, founded by the renowned Marcos Paulo Reis. The launch event brought together the running community, generating emotion and recognition for the work of one of Brazil's largest sports coaching agencies. In addition to acclaimed design and high performance, 5% of the shoe's sales will be donated to Projeto Arrastão, reinforcing the initiative's social impact.

Fila Enters the Daily Trainers Game with the Aero Skysilk

Fila unveiled its new model, the Aero Skysilk, aiming for a spot in the competitive "Daily Trainers" segment – versatile shoes for daily workouts and, if needed, races. Featuring Skysilk foam, a rocker effect for smooth transitions, weighing 208 grams (7.3 oz) and with an 8 mm drop, the Aero Skysilk promises comfort and efficiency for R$599.00.

Rio and Porto Alegre Marathon Medals Revealed

The medals for the 2026 Rio Marathon were revealed, featuring a "heart" as the central symbol to represent physical effort and passion for running. The design integrates a heartbeat line with the Rio de Janeiro skyline and classic elements like the boardwalk. There will be five versions for different distances, all with the phrase "Rio runs in you" and braille embossing, highlighting a commitment to inclusion. The Porto Alegre Marathon also presented its medal, with a classic design and aged finish, highlighting the Usina do Gasômetro. A fun anecdote was Cadu Santos's story of losing his 2008 Porto Alegre medal to athlete Daniel Chaves and still seeking a replacement today.

Does Running Age You? Dr. Drauzio Varella and Fernanda Young Respond

The question of whether running ages you was a topic on the show, with Dr. Drauzio Varella dismissing the idea as "the biggest nonsense." A 2024 study, published in Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, shows that regular physical activity slows down biological aging. Running improves sleep, strengthens the heart, aids in weight control, and is associated with a longer, healthier life. The appearance of an "aged face" is explained by the loss of facial body fat, an effect of weight loss, not aging itself. Journalist Fernanda Young summarized the issue with an iconic quote: "Envious people say running ages you. Well, time ages everyone, and I prefer to face it in my best shape. I run because, having never been the 'sexy' type, running ensures I won't 'fall apart'."

The 'Adidas' Ox from Piauí: A Case of Spontaneous Branding

Concluding the news roundup with an unusual curiosity, the show highlighted the story of an ox in rural Piauí whose horn resembles the Nike "swoosh." The owner, instead of naming it "Nike," opted for "Adidas," creating a fun and unintentional brand mix. The story went viral on social media, demonstrating how a case of spontaneous branding can generate more impact than many planned campaigns.