Stemma Radar: Race Records, Broadcasts, and Running World Updates

Porto Alegre Marathon: Brazil's Fastest, and Getting Even Faster

The Porto Alegre Marathon has cemented its reputation as Brazil's fastest marathon, bringing together approximately 30,000 runners and distributing over 1 million Brazilian Reals in prize money. The new course, with only 14 meters of accumulated elevation gain, was a true "record factory." Kenyan Daniel Sang won the 42K in 2:10:21, setting the best time ever recorded on Brazilian soil. The top three finishers broke the previous national record, which belonged to Vanderlei Cordeiro at the São Paulo Marathon. In the women's race, Ethiopian Geleni Senbet won with 2:31:16, also breaking the event record.

In the 21K, Laura Morales claimed her second consecutive championship and again broke the women's distance record, while Fernando Augusto won among the men. Olympikus stood out, with six men and six women running in models from the Brazilian brand in the marathon's top 10. Notably, Giovani dos Santos, at 44 years old, ran 2:12:56, beating his personal best and finishing as the best Brazilian.

SP 10K: Speed and a Discussion on Records

The SP 10K held its second edition in São Paulo, once again delivering speed. William Kibor won for the second consecutive time, improving his own course record to 28:49. Among the women, Núbia de Oliveira won with 34:31, setting the best Brazilian mark of the year for the distance. The episode sparked a lively debate about what truly defines "Brazil's fastest 10K race," with the audience and hosts questioning the criteria, even receiving a humorous response from expert Uncle Michael.

Rio Marathon: Stemma Sports Broadcast and Adidas Activations

Stemma Sports will broadcast the Rio Marathon live starting at 5 AM on Sunday on its YouTube channel. The team will consist of Prieto on commentary, Renan Telles providing analysis, expert Silvio Boia, and Thiago Kawamura as the motorcycle reporter. The broadcast promises to be comprehensive, covering the race entirely, from start to finish, until the last runner crosses the finish line. Additionally, Adidas, the event sponsor, transformed race week into a true "amusement park" for runners, with a 600m² store at the Expo, shakeout runs, themed installations, and recovery areas. Rebeca Grippa from Adidas detailed these actions in an exclusive interview with Stemma Sports.

The Sustainability Issue: Gels and Responsibility

The Rio Marathon launched an awareness campaign with the message: "If you can carry a full gel, you can carry an empty wrapper." The race will place numerous trash cans along the courses, eliminating excuses for improper waste disposal. This initiative sparked an important discussion about runners' responsibility. Cadu Santos shared an experience from a long run where a volunteer collected bags upon bags of empty gel wrappers on the road. The "Zero Waste" initiative by the brand Z2 was mentioned, which offers a 20% discount and free shipping to customers who return at least 20 used sachets. The Stemma Radar team appealed to all industry brands to unite in awareness campaigns.

Sodium Bicarbonate: Performance or Discomfort?

The discussion about using sodium bicarbonate to improve running performance resurfaced with a product from Maltem, the Bicarb System. The theory is that bicarbonate neutralizes hydrogen ions accumulated during intense efforts, delaying fatigue. A Runners World journalist tested the product in a 3,000-meter race and reported improved performance without gastrointestinal issues. However, the hosts warn about the risks of gastric discomfort and emphasize the importance of testing any supplement during training, not on race day.

Global Running Day and the Sport's Growth

The episode celebrated Global Running Day, observed on the first Wednesday of June. The CBAt (Brazilian Athletics Confederation) recorded impressive growth in the number of official races in Brazil, jumping from 2,827 in 2024 to 5,241 in 2025, an 85% increase, demonstrating the sport's strength and growing popularity in the country.

CBAt Norm 7: New Rules for Road Races

CBAt has updated Norm 7, the document regulating road races in Brazil, introducing significant changes for organizers and runners. Among the main changes is the requirement for more detailed safety and risk management planning for medical assistance. Additionally, organizers now have formal responsibility for belongings left in the baggage claim, according to the Consumer Defense Code. The norm also provides for a clearer separation between competitive and participatory athletes, which may lead to different bib numbers and even separate starting waves.

Bahia Marathon: Born with Great Energy

Salvador will gain a new marathon: the first edition of the Bahia Marathon is scheduled for April 25, 2027. The race, offering 5K, 10K, 21K, and 42K distances, promises to combine running, tourism, and culture, with the main course passing through Cidade Baixa. The event debuts with CBAt's "gold permit" seal, indicating a high standard of organization. There will also be the "Casa Axé," a space for kit distribution and cultural activations.

Asics Kayano 33: Evolution of a Classic

Asics has launched the Gel Kayano 33, the new version of one of its most traditional models. Featuring new Fluid Support technology, the shoe aims to offer more stability during running, in addition to a new combination of foams for comfort and support in daily training. The suggested retail price is R$1,299.99. The hosts discussed how the Kayano, along with the Nimbus, used to be Asics' main focus, but today the brand has a vast portfolio featuring Blast technology.

Nike SP City: Course Changes and Free Training

Iguana Sports announced course changes for the Nike SP City 2026. Runners will no longer pass through the Minhocão in the first kilometers, now following a section similar to the São Silvestre, with the ascent of the Orlando Muriel Viaduct right at the start. The goal is to improve runner flow without significantly altering difficulty. Avenida 23 de Maio and the finish line at the Jockey Club de São Paulo remain. Nike will also offer a series of free training sessions open to the public in the weeks leading up to the race, with activations in various Brazilian capitals.

Cadu Santos: Heading to Comrades Marathon

Cadu Santos, one of the hosts, is counting down to the Comrades Marathon, the traditional ultra-marathon in South Africa. His preparation journey, with intense training and the challenges of an 86 km race, is being documented in a special series on the Contra-Relógio website. Cadu shared details about his hydration and nutrition strategy, planning to carry approximately 24 gel sachets for the race and using a hydration vest to transport them.

Running Stories: The Chase in Paraguay and Resocialization Through Sport

Stemma Radar featured two stories involving the police and the running world. The first, a bizarre incident in Paraguay, where a police chase of a man with 17 arrest warrants crossed a road race course, forcing participants to deviate. The event, recorded by a drone, went viral on social media.

The second story is inspiring: G1 reported on the journey of Alex Lopes, creator of "Corre dos Crias," a running group that brings together residents of Morro da Providência in Rio de Janeiro. Alex, a former drug trafficker who spent almost 5 years in prison, found a way to rebuild his life through sport. He went viral by sharing his training routine with an electronic ankle monitor, humorously responding to prejudices. Today, at 38, he is studying Physical Education, works as a motorcycle delivery rider, runs half marathons, and uses his social media to talk about resocialization. His "Corre dos Crias" project already gathers thousands of runners and over 50,000 followers, showing that running changes not just the pace, but the direction of an entire life.

The episode concluded with a reminder of upcoming Stemma Sports broadcasts: the Rio Marathon on Sunday and the T100 San Francisco on Saturday, featuring commentary from figures like Reinaldo Colucci and Álvaro José, highlighting the channel's commitment to bringing the best of sports to its audience.