Race

A pair of sneakers, light clothing and plenty of energy are the equipment needed to get started in one of the most widely practiced sports in Brazil and Rio de Janeiro: running. The activity that won over cariocas more than a century ago is a favorite at gyms, but it was the city's beauty that put it on the sport's international calendar, welcoming athletes and amateurs alike to its many street races.

Founded in 1875, in Niterói, Clube Olímpico Guanabarense was one of the first in the country dedicated to running competitions, and before long, the races reached the other side of Guanabara Bay. Rio clubs such as Atlético Fluminense (founded in 1886), which already had the structure for sports like cycling and skating, began organizing championships for the new sport. The programs were diverse, covering different distances and age groups, with an innovation that was significant for the time: the participation of women. Generally, female audiences were relegated to the bleachers at sporting events, but with the arrival of running they had the opportunity to become protagonists.

Image description: The image is an advertisement for races held by the Clube Atlético Fluminense, dated 1887, published in the magazine "A Semana", issue number 108, page 3. The advertisement is in black and white and provides details about a grand event to take place on July 23, at 3 p.m. The advertisement is arranged vertically, with the title "CLUB ATHLETICO FLUMINENSE" prominently displayed at the top. Below, there is information about the racing grounds, including distances and categories, as well as the prizes offered for each category. At the bottom, there is a mention of the club's secretary, A. SOARES.

In the 1880s, foot races were held at Praça da República (Campo de Santana) and at the old Jardim Zoológico (Vila Isabel). It was from 1925 onward, with the holding of the 1st São Silvestre in São Paulo, that races began to happen in a more structured way in Brazil, consolidating the foundation for the current landscape.

In addition to hosting important events such as the Rio Marathon (from Recreio to the Aterro do Flamengo), the city is also the birthplace of some of the most renowned Brazilian runners. Rio native Robson Caetano reached five Olympic finals and won two bronze medals at the Seoul Games (1988): one individual, in the 200 meters, and one team medal, in the men's 4x100 meters relay. The athlete was the South American record holder in the 100 meters dash in 1988, having completed the race in exactly 10 seconds — a mark that lasted for 35 years.

Robson Caetano wins bronze in Seoul – 1988. Nilsondm – video available on YouTube

The first Brazilian woman to run the Olympic marathon (at the Los Angeles Games in 1984) was also born in Rio de Janeiro. Eleonora Mendonça was an unrelenting fighter for women's rights in road racing and secured her place on the Olympic team by finishing first in the Bradesco/Jornal do Brasil International Marathon in June 1984. In 1979, Eleonora herself had organized the country's first international marathon.

Image description: This is a black-and-white photograph of a race. On the left side, we see a runner in motion, wearing the number "037" on his uniform. Ahead of him are traffic cones arranged along a curve of the track. In the background, spectators and staff can be seen sitting in chairs. The track is located in a stadium, with bleachers visible in the background on the right.