With around 7 thousand runners, the 5th Manaus International Marathon overcomes adversity

Race

Starting at 4 am, the race took place with routes and different challenges of 42, 21, 10 and 5 kilometers.

The fifth edition of the largest street race in the North of Brazil had the participation of around 7 thousand runners from around the world in the early hours of this Sunday (17), in the Ponta Negra tourist complex, in the west of the city. The Manaus International Marathon is organized by To Goal Sports, with the support of Manaus City Hall, through the Manaus Sport Foundation (FME).

Starting at 4 am, the race took place with routes and different challenges of 42, 21, 10 and 5 kilometers. Participants had the opportunity to pass by – and some to see – several postcards of Manaus, such as the Jornalista Phelippe Daou bridge, the Teatro Amazonas, the Arena da Amazônia and some avenues.

A born sportsman, Mayor David Almeida was present and completed the 10 kilometers.

“Manaus joins the international marathon center. A great marathon, the fifth edition. It is a professional organization with massive public participation. This demonstrates that Manaus is qualified to host large events like this. Congratulations to the organizers, and Manaus City Hall encourages this initiative”, said the head of the municipal Executive.

Initially scheduled for October, during the city’s anniversary, the Manaus International Marathon had to be postponed due to the smoke that hit the state at that time. However, the event was rearranged and concluded successfully in the final stretch of the year.

The 2023 International Marathon was also special, as it marked the first sporting event of great magnitude after the choice of Manaus as the ‘South American Sports City’ of 2024, hosted in Brussels, Belgium, last week.

Sports scene

The CEO of FME, Aurilex Moreira, highlights the obstacles overcome by the organization in another year of Marathon and the city’s growth in the sports scene.

“Once again, the Manaus Marathon surpassed itself. This time, because of all the climate problems we’ve been through. The hottest summer ever, the biggest drought in our state, this problem with smoke. But with a lot of willpower and the tireless work of Manaus City Hall, we managed to support the Marathon. I’m very happy. As a runner, I like this sport, seeing the athletes from Manaus embracing the cause, participating, even with all the setbacks we had. And the Marathon is here once again, with top athletes from abroad, participating”, he pointed out.

There were long months of planning and preparation, not only for the marathon runners, but also for the organization of the event, which was handled by the company To Goal Sports. Coordinator James Jr. highlights the diversity of the race, which attracted people from all over the world and had a great positive impact.

“The whole world saw us. We have around seven thousand runners in the race. We have people from all states in Brazil, around 18 countries, and the interior of Amazonas. Great public participation also from Roraima, São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Minas, and countries such as the United States, England, Denmark, Japan and China. It was incredible,” he commented.

Winners of the 42 kilometer race (men):

1st – José Maria Arruda de Almeida – 02:29:54 (Amper Elinsa Team) 2nd – Leandro Silva Costa – 02:33:26 (Traca Runners Team)
3rd – Raimundo Nonato Pereira da Silva – 02:36:13 (Ultra Esportes Team)
4th – Juarez Rosa Silva – 02:38:07 (Manaus City Hall Team)
5th – Paulo Cézar Silva Oliveira – 02:39:27 (Team Atleta de Cristo Nutrilite).

*With information from consultancy.

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Manaus postpones international marathon due to smoke crisis