Stemma Radar: Golden Run, BH Marathon, Neo Vista 3, and News Roundup

BH Marathon: A New Chapter in Minas Gerais Racing, But With a Scheduling Conflict

Belo Horizonte hosts its Official Marathon this weekend, aiming to re-establish the Minas Gerais capital on the national circuit of major races. The program is comprehensive, including a Marathon Village, night run, Kids' race, and concerts at the Municipal Park. A highlight will be a chat with icon Vanderlei Cordeiro de Lima, Olympic medalist and inspiring figure.

However, the BH Marathon's debut comes with a scheduling conflict, taking place on the same weekend as the traditional Nilson Lima Marathon in Uberlândia. This race, in its 9th edition, is the longest-running in Minas Gerais with CBAT certification, honoring Uberlândia native Nilson Lima, who has completed over 410 marathons and ultramarathons. Commentator Carlos Guimarães also noted the interesting fact of Uber sponsoring Uberlândia's local football team, which has become a local marketing success story.

Who Will Break the Next Marathon World Record? The Battle Continues

Following the historic 2026 London Marathon, with Sebastian Sauers running 1:59:30 and Khelsha debuting with 1:59:41, the official season for world record attempts is open. The big names have already set their next races:

Sebastian Sauers, the current record holder, will run in Berlin, a race that has seen great achievements and where he can take advantage of ideal conditions to try and further lower his mark.

Khelsha has chosen Valencia for the end of the year, the same city where she broke the half marathon world record in 2024. The Spanish race is known for its extremely fast course and offers a 1 million euro bonus for a potential world record.

Kiplimo is expected to run in Chicago, where he was victorious last year and placed third in London.

John Korir is still deciding between Chicago and Valencia, looking for the best opportunity for his next big challenge.

Mizuno Neo Vista 3: The New Generation of the "Forbidden Shoe"

The recently launched Mizuno Neo Vista 3 was one of the program's highlights. Host Fabio Bessa described it as "the coolest shoe for running a marathon," praising the design that allows you to feel the carbon plate on the sides and the 3D sole technology, which offers superior energy return. Even though it's a performance-focused model and considered a "forbidden shoe" (a term for carbon-plated shoes that may be restricted in some categories), Fabio plans to use it in his next marathon, highlighting the shoe's quality and aesthetic appeal, which now features a subtly raised 3D logo.

Rio Marathon Unveils Its Official Mascot: Mara, The Running Maritaca

The Rio Marathon has introduced its official mascot: Mara, a maritaca (parrot) with the soul of a Rio runner. The choice symbolizes lightness, freedom, and the unity of the running community, besides being an impossible-to-ignore character. Fabio Bessa commented that in Rio, people commonly refer to the marathon as "a Mara," which makes the mascot even more connected to the local culture. The expectation is for Mara to become an iconic event souvenir.

Sports Diplomacy: Macron Runs With Kipchoge and Gets Nikes

French President Emmanuel Macron surprised many by being seen running through the streets of Nairobi, Kenya, alongside legend Eliud Kipchoge. This unusual encounter showed that international diplomacy now even includes a recovery run. Macron, who ran in Hoka (an older model), received a pair of Nike Pegasus 42, the same model used by Kipchoge. The amusing episode generated comments about the president's fitness and the contrast with his suited security detail.

Copenhagen Marathon Enters Lottery Era for Registrations

The Copenhagen Marathon announced that its 2027 edition will feature a lottery system for registrations, following the trend of other major global races. The lottery period is now open and runs until June 3, allowing individual or group registrations for up to three people. The decision, however, sparked debate because the race does not reserve spots for local residents nor offers a deferral or transfer system for cancellations, a point of criticism that other marathons like London, New York, and Chicago have already addressed.

Brazil Shines in Achieving Six Star Marathon Majors

Brazilian runners are prominent in the pursuit and completion of the coveted Six Star Finisher medal from the World Marathon Majors. Boston recorded 1639 new Six Star Finishers, and London, 715. Brazil ranked in the top 10 nationalities in both races, with 71 Brazilians completing the journey in Boston and 27 in London. An inspiring fact from Boston was the presence of runners up to 82 years old earning the medal, reinforcing longevity in the sport. Entry into the Majors, especially Boston, can be challenging, with expensive tour packages and waiting lists.

ASICS and the "Get The Glow" Campaign: Running is the New Skincare

ASICS launched the "Get The Glow" campaign, with an aesthetic inspired by the world of skincare and beauty. The premise is simple and impactful: true "glow" and well-being come from physical activity, not expensive cosmetic products. The campaign, featuring illuminated close-ups and a self-care routine, culminates in the message that the secret is to run. The narrative is based on a global brand survey, "State of Mind," which indicates that just 15 minutes and 9 seconds of physical activity are enough to improve well-being, confidence, and mental state.

Decathlon Launches Store Focused on Running, Fitness, and Swimming

Decathlon has opened a new compact store in São Paulo specializing in running, fitness, and swimming, located at Morumbi Town Shopping. The initiative aims to offer more technical assistance and an integrated shopping experience, with WhatsApp support. The store will focus on Decathlon's own brands, such as the Kiprun running line, and seeks to deepen relationships with runners, going beyond simply selling products. Commentator Carlos Guimarães mentioned athlete Brandon Bressan, who visited Decathlon's factory in France, showcasing the potential of the brand's products.

Ícaro de Castro Melo Stadium, Ibirapuera, to Reopen

After years of abandonment, the Ícaro de Castro Melo Stadium, located in the Ibirapuera complex, is scheduled to reopen in June, with approximately 85% of its restoration, renovation, and modernization work completed. The additional information, brought by Carlos Guimarães, is that the Brazil Athletics Trophy will likely take place there after the reopening. Architect Alberto, a regular Stemma commentator, informed that the track's renovation is being carried out by Mondo, a company specializing in sports flooring.

Nike and Adidas Continue to Dominate Brazilian Sports Imagination

A Sports Track survey, which monitored sports habits and media consumption in Brazil between 2020 and 2025, revealed that Nike and Adidas continue to lead spontaneous brand recall in Brazilian sports. The sports giants surpass big names like Itaú, Banco do Brasil, and Red Bull. The study underscores the importance of continuity and constant presence in sports, showing that "noisy three-month campaigns" are not sustainable without long-term investment.

Under Armour Enters the Robotics Era, Dressing Humanoid Robots

Under Armour announced an innovative partnership with Persona IA, a robotics company from Houston, Texas. The goal is to develop high-performance materials for industrial humanoid robots that will operate in extreme environments. The news officially marks the moment when even robots will need technological apparel for performance and protection. The initiative opens a new and promising market for the sports apparel industry.

Garmin Leads Survey on Runners' Preferred Watches

A survey conducted by Tênis Certo with 15,000 runners revealed interesting data on the most used watches. Garmin continues to dominate wrists, being the choice of 48% of participants. Amazfit appears in second place, with 19%. Traditional brands like Polar (2%) and Coros (1%) showed a significant loss of market share. Host Fábio Bessa expressed surprise at Coros' low percentage, while Carlos Guimarães highlighted the curiosity of Polar's decline, a brand once a benchmark in heart rate monitoring. Huawei, also growing in the global market, appears with 2%.

Google Health Coach: AI as Your New Personal Trainer

Google is revamping its Fitbit line of wearables with the introduction of Google Health. This application promises to centralize training data, sleep, heart rate, and even medical information in one place. The big news is the Google Health Coach, an AI assistant based on Gemini that will suggest personalized workouts, recovery, and tips based on data from connected devices. Additionally, the new Fitbit Air will be a minimalist, screen-less wearable focused on continuous monitoring, similar to other market technologies.

Rachel Entrakin Olson Wins Cocodona 250 Overall and Breaks Record

American Rachel Entrakin Olson made history by winning the Cocodona 250 overall – surpassing both men and women – and breaking the absolute course record. She completed the 402 km in an impressive 56 hours and 9 minutes. The Cocodona 250 is a brutal ultramarathon that crosses Arizona deserts and mountains, accumulating nearly 12,000 meters of elevation gain. Rachel slept only 19 minutes during the entire race, a true "power nap" to face the extreme heat, exhaustion, and hallucinations. After the victory, her phrase "Why not?" summarized her mindset of overcoming challenges. The episode generated an emotional reflection from Carlos Guimarães about his preparation for Comrades and the inspiring stories surrounding these extreme races.

TS Summit 2026: Discussing the Future of the Sports Events Market

The TS Summit, an event aimed at creators and organizers of sports events, reaches its sixth edition in 2026 with the theme "The New Always Arrives." Registrations are now open for the gathering, which will take place in September at the Latin America Memorial, bringing together brands, organizers, and industry professionals. Confirmed speakers and debaters include philosopher Clóvis de Barros Filho and CEO Daniel Krutman, promising in-depth discussions on industry trends and challenges.

"Run Your Way": Runner's World UK Addresses Inclusivity in Running

The new issue of Runner's World UK features a highly relevant agenda for the current state of running: advocating for more welcoming races for practitioners of all paces. Titled "Run Your Way," the article addresses "pace shame," arguing that running slowly should not be treated as a failure but rather as a legitimate part of the sport. The article highlights that, although running has seen a boom in participation, especially among beginners and women, part of online culture still imposes the idea that every runner needs an elite pace. The magazine emphasizes that those who run at 7, 8, or 9 minutes per km also buy shoes, experience the journey, endure, celebrate, and find happiness in the sport.