Treadmill Record, São Silvestre, and Rio Marathon 2027

Débora Simas Breaks Treadmill World Record: 866 km in 7 Days

Santa Catarina ultramarathoner Débora Simas, 55, made history in Florianópolis by setting a new women's world record for distance covered on a treadmill in seven days. She achieved a mark of 866.21 km, surpassing New Zealander Emma Timis's previous record of 846.16 km, set in 2024, by 20.05 km. This distance is equivalent to more than 20 marathons in one week.

Débora's challenge began on August 2nd, and the record was broken at 9:14 AM on a Sunday. During the 168 hours, she took only short breaks for sleep, hygiene, and medical attention. A team of 110 professionals, led by coach Paulinho Queto and doctor Daniel de Souza Carvalho, rotated 24 hours a day to support the athlete. The event, held at Beiramar Shopping, attracted public attention, which celebrated the historic achievement.

São Silvestre 2027: The 101st Edition Arrives with the 'Dog São Silvestre'

The traditional December 31st race, São Silvestre, is preparing its 101st edition with a series of novelties. The Fundação Casper Líbero announced a repositioning, with the slogan 'the first of the next 100 years,' focusing on the runners who drive the event and a renewed visual identity. The classic symbol gained more rounded lines and an expanded color palette, including red, orange, green, blue, and purple, reflecting the diversity of participants, according to Marketing Director Caio Panfilo.

The big surprise is the launch of the Dog São Silvestre, a pet version of the race. The proposal is to bring together runners and their dogs in a sports and wellness experience. Although details about routes, categories, and dates are still being defined, the expectation is that it will be a separate event from the main race, avoiding the already chaotic crowd of one of the country's largest street races. Registrations for the São Silvestre 2027 are expected to open in September.

Rio Marathon 2027: Registration by Lottery for 21k and 42k

The Rio Marathon announced the registration calendar for its 25th edition, which will take place from May 27-30, 2027. The festival will feature 5K (Thursday, 05/27), 10K (Friday, 05/28), 21K (Saturday, 05/29), and 42K (Sunday, 05/30), coinciding with the Corpus Christi holiday. Those who take on the 21K+42K challenge will receive three medals, including a special 25-year anniversary one.

The main novelty is the implementation of a lottery system for 21K and 42K registrations. Registration for the 42K will open from August 31st to September 13th, with results announced on September 25th. For the 21K, registration begins on November 9th, with results on November 27th. There are other ways to secure a spot, such as sponsor pre-sales, registered sports consultancies, travel agencies, registrations for foreigners, and spots for athletes with disabilities.

The 21K+42K challenge will not have a lottery, with registrations open to the general public on October 15th. The 10K and 5K will have direct sales on January 19th and February 2nd, 2027, respectively. Prices range from R$159 (5K without a t-shirt) to R$790 (challenge). Registrations for foreigners cost from US$80 to US$300. Additional batches may open in December (for 21K/42K) and March (for 5K/10K) if there are unpaid or canceled spots. The lottery model reflects a trend in major marathons and seeks to optimize the registration experience.

Sydney Marathon: Transforming the City into a Running Destination

In its second year as a Major Marathon candidate, the Sydney Marathon in Australia is solidifying its position as an event that embraces the entire city. From August 24th to 31st, the 'Run Perks' program offers discounts at restaurants, pubs, tourist attractions, and experiences, accessible to both runners and the general public. An event app with geolocation shows the nearest offers, which include fixed menus and discounts of up to 42% on tourist passes, referencing the marathon distance.

The August 30th race expects 40,000 runners and received 123,000 lottery entries, a 56% increase from the previous year, with athletes from over 140 countries. For the New South Wales government, the event is a tourism operation that promises to inject approximately 300 million Australian dollars into the local economy over a decade. The initiative prompts reflection on how Brazilian marathons, like the Rio Marathon, can create a similar impact, encouraging visitors to circulate, stay, and spend in the city.

The discussion about city engagement and spectator support along the course brought to light cultural and logistical differences. While races like Comrades in South Africa mobilize the population along their entire length, marathons in Brazil face challenges such as very early start times and a weaker culture of street cheering. It is believed that a combination of public, media, and brand campaigns could foster greater participation and celebrate the event as a common good for the city.

Berlin Marathon: Heavy Reinforcements for the 2027 Elite Field

The Berlin Marathon, scheduled for September 27th, announces more prominent names in its elite field. In the men's category, joining current champion Milkesa Mengesha are Tanzanian Gabriel Gaay, his country's record holder with 2h03min, Ethiopian Guye Adola, the 2021 race champion, and Sebastian Sawe, winner of this year's London Marathon with 2h02min05s.

In the women's elite, the new addition is Ethiopian Bedatu Hirpa, champion in Dubai and Paris, with a personal best of 2h18min27s. She will face current world record holder Tigst Assefa, Rosemary Wanjiru, and German Esther Pfeiffer, promising a fierce battle for one of the world's fastest marathons.

New Balance 42K Porto Alegre: Lottery for Valencia Marathon Slots

The New Balance 42K Porto Alegre 2027 offers a unique opportunity for its participants: a lottery for two complete packages for the Valencia Marathon 2027. Each package includes airfare, accommodation, and registration for the Spanish race, recognized as one of the fastest on the world calendar. To enter, interested parties must be registered for the 21K or 42K of the New Balance 42K Porto Alegre by August 30th.

Registrations for the Porto Alegre race open on August 21st, at 1 PM, and the two winners will be drawn on September 15th. The prize is personal and non-transferable. This initiative, which has previously drawn trips to New York, is seen as a way for the brand to connect its local events with the global scene of major marathons, offering significant added value to runners.

Belo Horizonte Marathon: Second Edition with Growth Ambitions

The second edition of the Official Belo Horizonte Marathon already has a date set: between May 13th and 16th, 2027. Registrations open on August 18th, at noon, via Ticket Sports, a platform that will also promote the TS Summit, an event where Stemma Radar will give a live presentation on September 2nd. The race will feature 42K, 21K distances, and a night run.

After bringing together over 5,000 athletes in its debut this May, the organization projects an ambitious leap to 14,000 participants in 2027. The BH Marathon will also maintain its ambassador program, selecting eight runners to represent it in the state capital of Minas Gerais, in inland Minas Gerais, and in other states, a selection process to be announced soon.

Bibi Play Run: Kids' Footwear for Playful Running

Bibi, known for children's footwear, enters the running universe with the launch of the Bibi Play Run. The line of children's sneakers was presented at an event at Parque Villa Lobos, bringing together running influencers and their children. The brand proposes to treat running as children truly experience it: a game that involves running, braking, changing direction, jumping, and exploring, without the pressure of time, training plans, or performance.

The model features zero drop, meaning there is no height difference between the heel and the toe, which, combined with lightweight materials and a flexible design, follows the natural movement of growing feet. The initiative highlights the importance of encouraging children to exercise playfully, contrasting with the sometimes excessively competitive nature of some current children's races.

Nike Vomero Plus with Cow Print: The 'Cow Print' Trend in Running

The cow print trend, which has already dominated casual apparel and footwear, now arrives in the high-performance running universe. Nike launched the Vomero Plus with this print, featuring a black and white upper with a visual effect of a moving print and the Swoosh with a finish that mimics pony hair. The shoe, a high-cushioning model, is available for 190 dollars, generating buzz among enthusiasts and collectors.

Curitiba Marathon and the Biodegradable T-Shirt

The Curitiba Marathon, scheduled for November 15th, innovates by providing its 16,000 registrants with a 100% biodegradable t-shirt. Produced in polyamide by Global Vitta Sports, in partnership with 1, the garment was developed for endurance races, maintaining characteristics such as lightness, breathability, and quick-drying. The fabric is designed to decompose through the action of microorganisms when disposed of correctly in a sanitary landfill, with an estimated 90% decomposition in three years, while conventional fabrics can take decades.

It is important to note that the t-shirt does not degrade in a closet, depending on specific disposal conditions. The initiative raises the discussion about sustainability in sports and the role of companies in publicizing their environmentally friendly projects. Although sustainable appeal is not always the decisive factor for purchase, it contributes significantly to brand building and to raising awareness among the production chain and consumers about the importance of more responsible practices.

ASICS and E-Sports: Connecting Physical and Digital Performance

ASICS took a strategic step by entering the world of e-sports, becoming a sponsor of the Brazilian team Fluxo W7M, its first global partnership in this segment. The inaugural project includes a collection of clothing and accessories (t-shirts, hoodies, jackets, pants, shorts) with pixelated graphics, inspired by a 1998 Japanese national football team jersey.

For ASICS, this venture goes beyond fashion. It represents an approach to a highly engaged community and an opportunity to dialogue about topics such as focus, physical preparation, mental health, and lifestyle, strengthening the connection between athletic performance and the world of electronic games.

Lazarus Lake: The Documentary About the Creator of the Barkley Marathons

Gary Cantrell, better known as Lazarus Lake, the enigmatic creator of the Barkley Marathons, will be the subject of the documentary 'Lazarus Lake: The Hillbilly Science.' The Barkley, a semi-clandestine ultramarathon held at Frozen Head State Park, Tennessee, USA, is famous for its approximately 160 km brutal course, 60-hour limit, and the fact that few runners have managed to complete it since its creation in 1986.

The film followed Lazarus for 12 months, documenting his routine at the Barkley, the Big Backyard Ultra, and at his home in Tennessee. The documentary promises to delve into the mind behind one of the world's most challenging and peculiar races. The premiere is scheduled for August 27th in Chamonix, at Cinema Vox, during UTMB week, in an exclusive session for guests and press.

USP Study: Leisure Exercise Still a Privilege

A USP study followed 978 residents of São Paulo for ten years (2014-2024) and revealed that engaging in physical activity during leisure time does not solely depend on individual disposition. Among white men with higher education, the rate rose from 51% to 65%, while among Black, mixed-race, Asian, and Indigenous women with lower education, the increase was from 29% to 39%. Despite progress in both groups, the gap between them grew.

The study points to barriers that go beyond willpower, such as unequal domestic labor, lower income, insecurity, poor lighting, and lack of adequate spaces in neighborhoods. According to the researchers, leisure activities are influenced by environmental, structural, and social factors, making them more accessible to socially favored groups. In contrast, walking as a form of transportation increased to 71.6%, with no major differences between groups, but in this case, walking is a necessity, not a leisure choice. The research prompts an important reflection on the real privileges and challenges in the pursuit of an active lifestyle.

Molli, the Fitness Hamster: Records on Strava Premium

To conclude the news, a curiosity that captivated the internet: Molli, a 10-month-old hamster from Utrecht, Netherlands, is the new sensation on Strava Premium. Her owner, physicist Thijs de Buck, adapted the animal's exercise wheel with a magnet, a sensor, and a small computer, recording each rotation during the night. In the morning, the data is converted into a compatible file and automatically uploaded to the app.

Molli is not kidding around: she runs an average of almost 10 km per night. In a recent activity, she recorded 9.75 km in 4 hours and 37 minutes, and her monitored record reached 10.8 km. The hamster completed Strava's 400-minute challenge in August in just two days. Her nightly routine, which starts between 9:54 PM and 10:04 PM, includes short blocks of 4 to 5 km and strategic stops for water, showing that Molli takes the advice to 'train while others sleep' very seriously.