SP City Marathon in Focus: A Complete Stemma News Roundup
Record participation at Nike SP City, artificial intelligence at the Sydney Marathon, and a look at Brazil's running market.
The latest Nike SP City Marathon in São Paulo saw a 31% increase in finishers, solidifying its place as one of the country's largest races. The Sydney Marathon is also making headlines by investing in mental preparation with AI. Meanwhile, Strava has elevated Brazil to a global priority, and Olympikus announced a new wave of athletes for its 'Corre do Amanhã' project.
The latest edition of the Nike SP City Marathon energized São Paulo's street running scene, and we were there to witness it firsthand. The event showcased a new phase, with over 32,000 registrants and an impressive 28,113 finishers across the marathon and half-marathon distances. This figure represents a 31% increase compared to the previous year, a statistic that underscores the growing passion for running in Brazil.
In the marathon, Brazilian athletes shone. Maria Aparecida Ferraz secured her first victory at the distance with a time of 2h42min19s, while Gilmar Lopes claimed the men's title in 2h16min34s, marking a triumphant return to the 42km after three years. Gilmar delivered an exciting finish, with a decisive sprint in the final meters. In the half-marathon, Ethiopians Tsegaye Asefa (1h16min59s) and Alemu Ragassa (1h04min15s) were the winners. A curious detail about Maria Ferraz: she ran the entire marathon without socks, a peculiarity she explained was due to heel discomfort that was alleviated for her without the accessory.
The organization of the Nike SP City, as is tradition, received praise. The wave start helped manage the large volume of runners, although some sections experienced temporary bottlenecks. The Expo was highlighted for its smooth kit collection process and the restroom facilities for their quantity and accessibility. Nike's activations along the course, with motivational signs and DJ zones, contributed to a festive and relaxed atmosphere, making the naturally challenging race feel lighter for participants. The São Paulo race, however, has not yet reached the numbers of Olympikus's Porto Alegre Marathon, which recorded 30,500 finishers, making it Brazil's fourth-largest race by athlete count.
Medical Structure and Safety in Focus
Despite the overall success, the edition was marked by the passing of Júlio Barreto, 50, after completing the half-marathon. The incident underscored the importance of medical infrastructure in sporting events. Dra. Ana Paula Simões, medical director of the SP City Marathon, explained in an interview with Stemma Sports that the operation is based on three fronts: fixed posts (three in the arena), a network of mobile resources (15 support stations, six ambulances, and six medical motorcycles), and a medical regulation center that coordinates everything in real time. The structure is planned following guidelines from World Athletics and the Brazilian Athletics Confederation, with follow-up on severe cases even after the event.
Júlio Barreto's case prompted São Paulo Mayor Ricardo Nunes to create a working group to develop a municipal safety and health protocol for street races. This initiative aligns with Abracel's Corrida Segura (Safe Race) project, which advocates for creating technical parameters to ensure participant safety without hindering the sport's growth. Awareness of pre-participation medical exams and the importance of professional monitoring are crucial points in these discussions.
Sydney Marathon: Mental Preparation with AI
The Sydney Marathon, the newest addition to the Abbott World Marathon Majors, is innovating by offering its 40,000 participants a mental preparation program powered by artificial intelligence. Six weeks before the race, scheduled for August 30th, runners will have access to the Marathon State of Mind platform, developed by former Olympian Eloise Wellings and researcher Hory Darkness. The system creates personalized strategies to deal with anxiety, insecurity, and the urge to quit, including live sessions, individual meetings, and even audio messages with guidance at specific points along the course. The organization invested over 60 million Australian dollars (approximately R$ 215 million) in this initiative, demonstrating that the future of running also involves mind training.
Brazil is a Global Priority for Strava
In an interview with Época Negócios, Louise W, Strava's global marketing director, revealed that Brazil has become the platform's second-largest market worldwide, now a global priority. This growth is attributed to the explosion of street running, the strengthening of "running crews," and Brazilians' tendency to exercise in groups and share experiences. In the past year, the number of running clubs registered on Strava grew eightfold, and Gen Z women are the fastest-growing group. The challenge for the company is to develop new functionalities, many based on AI, for a passionate audience that is discerning when it comes to paying for subscriptions.
Pace by Age: Slower Than You'd Think (But Not Much)
A Runners World report, using data from Garmin, Coros, and Strava, investigated how running pace varies with age. The conclusion is that while pace does decrease over time, the difference is smaller than often imagined. According to Garmin, the average pace goes from 5min46s/km (20-29 years old) to 6min27s/km (60-69 years old), a difference of only 41 seconds per kilometer over four decades. Coros recorded a larger drop, from 5min35s/km to 7min13s/km for the same age groups. Strava, meanwhile, showed averages of 6min10s/km for Gen Z, 6min06s/km for Millennials, 6min19s/km for Gen X, and 6min57s/km for Baby Boomers. The article emphasizes that factors such as experience, conditioning, nutrition, recovery, genetics, and course profile also influence performance. The global average pace is 5min49s/km for men and 6min20s/km for women.
The Search for Danielzinho
The family of Daniel Ferreira do Nascimento, known as "Danielzinho," the South American marathon record holder, and the athletics community remain mobilized in search of information about his whereabouts. Danielzinho has been missing since June 19. The Brazilian Athletics Confederation (CBAt) also issued an appeal, asking that any information be passed on to the family or the Civil Police. The athlete's career has previously been marked by a doping case, and the community is hoping for his return.
Olympikus Completes 'Corre do Amanhã' Team
Olympikus announced six new athletes for the Corre do Amanhã project, completing the first class of the initiative in partnership with the Instituto Vanderlei Cordeiro de Lima. Now, ten young runners, selected through tryouts across the country based on ranking, personal bests, and history, will train at a high-performance center in Campinas starting in August. The new names are Emily Laiz Pereira Santos (BA), Tailane da Silva Mota (MA), Yasmin Nogueira Ferreira (RS), Emanuel Rodrigues Garcia (GO), Vitor Apolinário Benício (PB), and Cauã Mendes Firmino (SC). Under the guidance of coach Ricardo D'Angelo, they will have access to medical, psychological, nutritional, and social support, as well as accommodation, scholarships, and assistance for athletic development. The project represents a long-term investment, made possible by a combination of factors at Vulcabras, such as the vision of shareholder Pedro Bartelli and the management of Márcio Calage, which allows them to bet on the future of athletics.
Mizuno Wave Rider Reaches 30th Generation
Mizuno has launched the Wave Rider 30, the new generation of one of its most traditional models, celebrating three decades of history. The shoe features 17% more heel cushioning, 15% more forefoot energy return, and a Wave plate that runs the entire length of the sole. These changes aim to increase comfort, stability, and stride fluidity. The model, previously known as Pro Runner in Brazil due to a name conflict with the Rider sandal, is available for R$999.99 and has received a commemorative edition inspired by the first Wave Rider, featuring black, white, and red colors. The design has been well-received, and the shoe is more comfortable and responsive, positioning it as a strong option in its segment.
Nike Innovates with Recovery Slide
Nike has introduced the Air Zoom Hyper Slide, a sandal developed in partnership with Hyper Ice to accelerate muscle recovery. The model combines Air Zoom cushioning with a magnetic module that offers three levels of heating (up to 47°C) and three levels of vibration, controlled by the device itself or the Hyper Ice app. Developed through testing with professional athletes, the slide promises to relieve foot tension after training, competitions, travel, or long periods of standing. The launch is scheduled for September 29th, with a suggested retail price of US$199.99.
Sports Brands Bet on Physical Stores
The trend of sports brands investing in physical stores is gaining momentum in Brazil. On Running opened its first Brazilian store at Shopping JK Iguatemi in São Paulo, offering its complete catalog, a try-on area for running shoes, specialized staff, and a running club. Soon, it will open another unit at Morumbi Shopping and a third in Rio de Janeiro. Under Armour is following suit, opening its first proprietary store (outside of an outlet format) at Shopping Vila Lobos in October, which will function as a "laboratory" to understand the Brazilian consumer. This strategic shift, after years of focusing on e-commerce and multi-brand retailers, aims to offer experiences, build community, and strengthen relationships with runners, something that stores like Asics and Mizuno already explore with concept spaces and running stations.
Garmin Launches Screenless Smart Band
Garmin expands its portfolio with the Circa, a screenless smart band focused on monitoring. The device tracks heart rate, sleep, stress, skin temperature, recovery, Body Battery, and over 80 physical activities, with up to 10 days of battery life. The band can be worn on the wrist or arm throughout the day and integrates with the Garmin Connect app. Unlike competitors like Whoop, the Garmin Circa does not require a monthly subscription. Its only limitation is that GPS accuracy during activities depends on a smartphone connection, not offering the same autonomy as a watch with integrated GPS. The suggested retail price is US$199.99.
Asics and Financial Market Performance
Over the past three years, Asics has stood out as the best-performing sports equipment manufacturer in the financial market, while Nike saw its market value fall by about 62% in the same period. The explanation lies in the running boom: running-inspired shoes gained traction among consumers and investors. Nike, in turn, is working to regain ground, accelerating its performance division with five consecutive quarters of double-digit growth in the running category, adding about $1 billion in sales and recapturing the market in Europe and North America. This movement illustrates the cyclical nature of consumer preference and the stock market in the sports sector.
10 Milhas Garoto Breaks Registration Record
The 10 Milhas Garoto, a traditional race in Espírito Santo, broke its registration record for its September 27th edition, with 20,000 spots selling out in just 14 hours. The race, which for the first time received World Athletics certification for its technical quality, is already building excitement with the Arena 10 Milhas Garoto in Vitória. The space offers free activities for runners and families, including functional training, dance classes, sports challenges, and chocolate distribution, all to celebrate the sport and community.
Badwater 135: The Ultramarathon That Plays with the Mind
The Badwater 135, considered one of the most difficult ultramarathons on the planet, once again tested athletes' limits. Brazilian Pepe Fiammotinghi completed the 217 km race, despite facing severe physical discomfort in the final kilometers. Unable to eat or hydrate properly for about 170 km, Pepe reached the final climb of Whitney Portal with low sugar and salt levels, resulting in hallucinations during the night. In his account, he shared that the only thing keeping him going was the white line on the road and summarized the experience with the phrase: "Never give up, just keep going." Pepe, who had run the Comrades Marathon as preparation, demonstrated impressive resilience, enduring visions among the rocks and even resorting to waterless ice baths to maximize cooling.
Mike Welcis: 60 Years Old and a Personal Best at the Boston Marathon
The story of American Mike Welcis is an example that age is not a limit to athletic evolution. At 60 years old, Mike just broke his personal best at the Boston Marathon, with a time of 2h48min16s. He resumed running at 55, after a 30-year hiatus due to a knee injury. Since then, he has completed 12 marathons and improved his time in nine of them. Mike attributes this improvement to three factors: strength training, group running, and gradual load progression. His journey is an inspiration to many, showing that with the right approach, it's possible to continue improving sports performance at any age.