Stemma Radar: Comrades, Pink Sneakers, Kipchoge & More Highlights
This packed edition of Stemma Radar covers Comrades records, speculation about the London Marathon, and the launch of the Mizuno Neo Vista 3.
Catch up on the top highlights from the running and triathlon world: from the challenging Comrades to a potential two-day London Marathon, new sneaker releases, and crucial discussions about motherhood in elite sports. This edition is packed with insights and fascinating details.
Comrades: Records and a Brazilian Legion at the Ultramarathon
The legendary Comrades Ultramarathon electrified the running scene with its 85.7 km "Up Run" between Durban and Pietermaritzburg. This year, the race saw an impressive 155 Brazilian finishers, solidifying the country's presence among top foreign nations. Among them, Cadu Santos, co-host of Stemma Sports, took on the challenge himself. His exclusive article for Contrarrelógio, detailing the experience, will be published soon.
This edition was marked by record-breaking performances. South African Gerda Steyn claimed her fifth title and surpassed her own uphill record, finishing in an impressive 5 hours and 44 minutes. Among the men, George Kush shone with a time of 5 hours and 15 minutes. The top five male finishers all came in under the previous record, demonstrating the competition's incredibly high level.
The race organizers have already announced the date for the highly anticipated 100th edition: June 13, 2027. It will be a "Down Run" between Pietermaritzburg and Durban, promising another historic chapter for the ultramarathon. There's great anticipation to see if Cadu Santos will attempt a "back-to-back" challenge, tackling the race again. A participant's report of suffering rhabdomyolysis after the race highlighted the extreme physical challenges of Comrades.
Stemma Radar Live at TS Summit
Get ready to see Stemma Radar in a new light! The program will feature a live edition on stage at the TS Summit, an event promoted by Ticket Sports. Scheduled for September 2nd, the summit will bring together names like Maurício Meireles and Clóvis de Barros, offering a unique opportunity for the public to follow Radar's discussions up close. Tickets are already on sale via Ticket Sports.
Pink Cleats Dominate World Cup Pitches
A curious phenomenon caught attention at the World Cup: the ubiquitous presence of pink cleats on the fields. According to reports from the BBC and The New York Times, there was no FIFA requirement or agreement among national teams. What happened was a coincidence of several brands – such as Puma, Nike, Adidas, and New Balance – launching collections in vibrant pink tones, especially electric fuchsia.
The explanation lies in marketing: pink creates a stark contrast with the green of the pitch, making them stand out in broadcasts, photos, and social media videos. This shade, in fact, is a trend color dictated by global agencies for 2026, serving as a complementary color to green in the palette. Interestingly, big names like Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo did not embrace the trend, sticking to their traditional colors.
London Marathon in Two Days: Rumor Gains Traction
Speculation about the London Marathon taking place over two days to double its capacity has gained new momentum. A post from the Next Marathons profile on June 15 indicated April 24 and 25 as potential dates for the race, fueling anticipation. Although The New York Times also covered the topic, there's still no official confirmation from the organizers.
The idea of a two-day London Marathon — perhaps with an exclusive day for women, like the Nagoya Marathon — would significantly increase the chances of being drawn in the ballot, given the record 1.3 million entries for the next edition. However, the logistical challenges for the city and organizers would be enormous, considering the complexity of such a large-scale event. The ballot results are expected in early July, and might bring news about the format.
Mizuno Neo Vista 3 Arrives in Brazil with Enhanced Technology
Mizuno has launched the Neo Vista 3 in Brazil, the new version of its super trainer, ideal for training and fast-paced runs. The shoe features 12% more Mizuno Enerzy Next foam in the upper midsole and a wider base for increased stability. The brand has also improved the 3D propulsion plate, promising a more efficient stride. With a suggested retail price of R$1,399.99, the model is already receiving praise from testers like Silvio Boia, who highlighted its comfort and propulsion. Co-host Cadu Santos has already used the shoe, and "trial" events will soon be available for more runners to experience it.
Berlin 2024: Tigist Assefa and Sebastian Coe Promise High Performance
The Berlin Marathon, known for its flat and fast course, has confirmed two major attractions for September 27: Tigist Assefa and Sebastian Coe. Both have indicated their goals go beyond victory, aiming for new records.
Tigist Assefa, who shined in Berlin in 2023 with a time of 2:11:53, is looking to reclaim the world record. Sebastian Coe returns to the race after running 1:59:30 in London, sparking expectations that he might break the 1:59 barrier. The temperature on race day will be a crucial factor in achieving these extraordinary results.
Motherhood in Elite Sports: World Athletics Launches CARES Study
World Athletics has launched the CARES (Childbirth and Return in Elite Sports) project to investigate the impact of pregnancy, childbirth, and return to high-level performance on the careers of female athletes. The research, which invites both runners who have been pregnant and those who haven't, aims to collect real data for future protection policies, rankings, and maternity leave.
This initiative reflects a changing landscape, where athletes previously concealed pregnancies for fear of losing contracts. The discussion is fundamental, as many athletes face the dilemma of balancing high performance with the desire to be a mother. While there are reports of women returning to sports with improved physiological performance post-pregnancy, it's crucial to acknowledge the unique challenges and the importance of respecting individual recovery times, without the pressure to compare oneself to "supermoms." The research will be open until September 30th.
"Tattooed" Sneakers: Caio Cruz's Art on Adidas Adizero Evo SL
Brazilian tattoo artist Caio Cruz transformed a pair of Adidas Adizero Evo SL into true works of art, applying graphics inspired by tattoo culture, the city, and the running world. The work, which blended references and customization, was a hit on social media, generating numerous commissions for the artist, who had to close his order book.
This initiative sparks discussion about the value of unique personalization versus mass production. While a special brand line might reach more people, the exclusivity of a customized item offers an unparalleled experience. Adidas Global even commented on the post, highlighting the impact of Caio Cruz's art.
Paulo André is the New On Running Ambassador in Brazil
Swiss brand On announced sprinter Paulo André, former Olympic 100m finalist and ex-Big Brother Brazil participant, as its new ambassador in Brazil. The strategy aims to broaden the company's dialogue with diverse audiences, connecting athletics with urban culture and the fashion world, areas in which Paulo André moves with ease.
Technology and Safety for Solo Female Runners: The RunSafe Pro Vest
A Dutch startup has developed the RunSafe Pro, a smart vest focused on safety for women who run alone. Equipped with rear radar, adaptive lighting, and an automatic location-sending system for emergency contacts in case of an incident, the vest aims to combat the concern reported by 92% of female runners when exercising solo.
Despite the sadness that such technology is necessary, the demand is real: over 4,500 people are already on the waiting list. The initiative highlights the importance of innovative solutions to ensure more women can practice outdoor sports with peace of mind and safety.
Kilian Jornet and Eliud Kipchoge Team Up on the Cotia App
Two of the biggest names in endurance sports, Kilian Jornet and Eliud Kipchoge, have joined forces on the Cotia training platform. The app, which already featured Kipchoge as a founding athlete, now incorporates Jornet, known for his mountaineering and ultra-trail feats, bringing his principles to the platform. The goal is to use artificial intelligence to create personalized workouts that teach runners to understand their own bodies, moving away from generic training plans.
The partnership combines Kipchoge's expertise for road running and Jornet's for trails, and the app also covers strength training and nutrition. The duo, who met during their sponsorship days with Coros (Kipchoge is now with Huawei), represents a powerful union of methodologies and experiences for the running world.
Kipchoge in Porto Alegre and the Antarctica Challenge
Eliud Kipchoge, the greatest marathon runner in history, will make a stop in Porto Alegre on his world tour. The Kenyan expressed his affection for Brazil, where he won his first Olympic medal (a bronze in the 5,000m in Athens 2004 and silver in Beijing 2008, before his marathon golds in Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020), marking a turning point in his career. He invited Brazilians to run with him, celebrating the local energy. The event is part of NB42k's coverage by Stemma.
As part of his personal project, Kipchoge plans to run a marathon on every continent, with Antarctica being the final challenge. The 21st edition of the "Antarctica Ice Marathon" is scheduled for December 13, 2026, with an entry fee of U$ 22,500.
Lessons from Soccer for Runners: It's Not Just About Mileage
During World Cup season, The Running Channel listed seven habits of professional soccer players that can benefit runners. The main lesson: high-level athletes don't just train in their primary sport. While many runners focus exclusively on mileage, soccer players develop strength, mobility, power, coordination, and speed through proper warm-ups, drills, and sprints.
The discussion emphasizes that "running more" isn't always the only answer for performance or injury prevention. Stemma Sports physiotherapists highlight that drills and strength training are crucial for improving coordination, technique, and reducing injury risk, even for those who naturally run fast.
"Here, You Dropped This": A Campaign for a Cleaner Running Environment
As an extension of the previous discussion about litter in races, Stemma and the Milk agency are encouraging an awareness campaign for runners to pick up their empty gels and wrappers. The idea is to create a movement where, instead of criticizing, runners adopt the attitude of "Here, you dropped this," handing the wrapper back to whoever discarded it improperly. The goal is to popularize the act of posting about picking up litter, promoting a cleaner and more sustainable running environment.
Run the Tiramisù Run 10K and Eat Your Fill at the Finish Line
Treviso, Italy, the city that proclaims itself the birthplace of tiramisù, will host its first "Tiramisù Run" in October. It will be a 10K through the city's historic streets, with a tempting bonus: unlimited tiramisù at the finish line. The event is part of the Tiramisù World Cup weekend and will have a limit of 1,000 participants. The biggest challenge, organizers joke, might not be completing the race, but knowing when to stop eating the dessert.