Stemma Radar: London Marathon Record, Rio Elite, and More

Rio Marathon Achieves World Athletics Elite Label

The Rio Marathon, scheduled for June 4-7, took a significant step in its global ambition by achieving the World Athletics Elite Label. This recognition certifies that the event meets rigorous criteria for organization, course, and technical level, validating it on the world athletics stage. While a crucial advancement, the journey to becoming a Major Marathon is still long, requiring consistency and continuous improvements. The race still faces criticism regarding aspects like kit collection and expo infrastructure, indicating that execution needs to match ambition.

Adidas Launches Exclusive Collection for the Rio Marathon

In parallel with the race's growth, Adidas announced the largest collection from its partnership with the Rio Marathon, which began in 2022. The line includes four running shoe models, such as the Adizero Adios Pro 4 and the Drive RC, as well as apparel and accessories inspired by the Rio sunrise. The strategy aims to reach all types of runners, transforming the race into a showcase for products and experiences. The hosts highlighted the collection's beauty, featuring vibrant colors like purple and orange.

Netshoes and Rio Marathon: Expanding Digital Ecosystem

Amplifying the runner's experience, Netshoes launched the official online store for the Rio Marathon. The platform centralizes the sale of licensed products in an integrated e-commerce, leveraging existing traffic to extend the race experience before and after the run. The catalog blends performance and lifestyle, with products inspired by Rio's laid-back vibe, featuring names like "Domingão Longão" (Big Sunday Long Run) and "Hoje é no Amor" (Today is for Love). The initiative reinforces the Rio Marathon as a consumer platform, with Netshoes also acting as a sponsor and holder of the 10 km race's naming rights.

Comrades Marathon 2026 Will Be Shorter: Records in Sight?

The 2026 Comrades Marathon, scheduled for June 14, will feature a slightly shorter course, at 85.777 km. This version, an "Up Run" from Durban to Pietermaritzburg, is 133 meters shorter than the 2024 edition and almost 1 km less than previous editions. This distance reduction could influence record-breaking attempts. Race director Sue Ford admitted that a shorter course and financial incentives might lead to new times. Current records are held by Leonid Tsvetkovs (5h24m49s in 2008) for men and Gerda Steyn (5h49m46s in 2024) for women. Co-host Cadu Santos, who will participate in the race, expressed relief at the news, given the proximity to the 12-hour "cut-off time," which may become less challenging with the reduced distance.

Exclusive: New Iron Maiden Themed Race in São Paulo

In a first-hand report, "Stemma Radar" revealed the organization of a new themed running race in São Paulo, inspired by Iron Maiden. The night race is scheduled for October 10 in Vale do Anhangabaú and will feature a concert by a renowned Iron Maiden cover band. The event is organized by Demon Sports, led by Gustavo Nogueira, and marks the beginning of a series of festive activities leading up to the band's official show in São Paulo. Registration details will be announced soon.

"I Saw, I Sold, I Conquered": Paulo Visacchi Discusses Performance and Mental Health

Paulo Visacchi, country manager for Kingston Brasil and a well-known figure in the running world, is co-author of the book "Vi, Vendi, Venci" (I Saw, I Sold, I Conquered), volume 3. The work brings together executives who share experiences on the pressure for results, covering topics such as artificial intelligence in business, leadership, and mental health. The book, already a bestseller in previous editions, discusses how performance depends on strategy, consistency, adaptation, and, most importantly, balance. The message resonates in both the corporate environment and on running tracks: knowing how to pace oneself and manage pressure to maintain rhythm.

Olympikus Launches Special Edition Corre Turbo for Porto Alegre Marathon

Olympikus will launch a special edition of the Corre Turbo running shoe for the Porto Alegre Marathon, taking place at the end of May. The model, which has become a symbol of fast races, reinforces the brand's positioning to offer technology with good cost-benefit. For the fourth consecutive year, Olympikus is the official sponsor of the race. The special Corre Turbo will be available for R$ 699.99 and can also be found at the event's Expo. Co-host Cadu Santos, who used the Corre Turbo in his Piracicaba marathon, praised the model.

Adidas Soars, Nike Recedes in Running Shoe Brand Preference Survey

A survey conducted by "Tênis Certo" (Right Running Shoe) with 15,000 runners revealed a significant shift in brand preference. Adidas took the lead with 26% of the votes, a notable increase. Meanwhile, Asics dropped to 24%, and Nike saw a substantial decline from 14% to 8%. Olympikus maintained its solid third-place position, and Mizuno also showed growth. The hosts attributed Adidas's strong performance to the brand's consistent efforts.

Sebastian Sawe, the Kenyan Hero of the London Marathon

After breaking the 2-hour barrier at the London Marathon, Sebastian Sawe was welcomed as a national hero in Kenya. In addition to a new car and approximately R$ 300,000 in government prize money, the athlete had already accumulated over R$ 1 million in bonuses from sponsors and the organization. Adidas also released a short documentary about the "Sub 2 Marathon" from Sawe's perspective, exploring the behind-the-scenes of his training and the journey to victory.

London: From Elite Records to Unusual Guinness Feats

The London Marathon is not only a stage for elite records but also for unusual feats that secure a place in the Guinness Book. Beyond Sebastian Sawe's historic sub-2 marathon, the race saw runners complete the 42 km dressed as cheerleaders, supervillains, emojis, and even electrical engineers. Among the most surprising, one athlete ran blindfolded in 3h16, and another completed the marathon wearing clogs in an impressive 2h47. There was also someone who knitted a scarf nearly 6 meters long during the course.

Electrolux Surprises with "Wash and Dry" Station at Curitiba Marathon

Electrolux is preparing a creative activation for the Curitiba Marathon on November 15. The company will use a "wash and dry" machine as a refreshment point on the course, releasing jets of water for runners. The initiative aims to offer relief at a critical moment in the race, transforming a household product into an innovative brand experience. The hosts joked about the possibility of the machine also drying clothes, making the experience complete.

SP City Expo Moves to Fundação Bienal at Ibirapuera

SP City announced that its Expo will now be held at the Fundação Bienal, located in the heart of Ibirapuera. The move is seen as a significant improvement, concentrating kit pickup, training, and gatherings in a more accessible location. Iguana Sports, the event organizer, was praised for the decision, which resolves the issue of distance and the high parking costs of the previous venue.

Digital Medal Arrives at Santander Night Run: The Future of Achievements?

The Santander Night Run São Paulo, taking place next Saturday, will feature a new innovation: the official digital medal. In an "Open Badge" format, it is verifiable, shareable, and serves as a complete record of the race, including data such as time, pace, position, and photos, all in a secure and tamper-proof standard. The concept, similar to an NFT, allows runners to build a collection of achievements and unlock benefits. However, the digital medal is not automatic; it costs R$ 9.90 and must be purchased after the race. It remains to be seen if runners will "buy into" the idea.

The keyword for this edition of "Stemma Radar" was "Pira Major," a tribute to the Piracicaba Marathon, where co-host Cadu Santos recently ran.