Athletes Rosa Mota, from Portugal, and Marilson dos Santos and Carmem de Oliveira, from Brazil, who made history in road running, immortalized today (29) the marks on their feet in the Hall of Fame of the São Silvestre international race. The ceremony took place at Expo São Silvestre, which takes place at the Brazilian Cultures Pavilion, in Ibirapuera Park, in São Paulo.
The plaques, with the prints of the three athletes’ feet, now join that of Kenyan Paul Tergat. The biggest winner of the race among men, with five victories, Tergat inaugurated the São Silvestre Hall of Fame in August this year, when the most traditional street race in the country completes its hundredth edition.
São Paulo (SP), 12/29/2025 – Rosa Mota during a ceremony honoring 100 years of the race’s history: “I fell in love with the race and participated for six consecutive years.” Photo: Paulo Pinto/Agência Brasil – Paulo Pinto/Agência Brasil
One of the honored athletes, the Portuguese Rosa Mota, the biggest winner of the race, with six titles in a row, between 1981 and 1986, spoke of her emotion at being immortalized, with her marks, in the history of São Silvestre.
“I’m very proud to be part of this story. I hope many of you do too. The first year I came to São Silvestre, I enjoyed it so much, I was so loved. All the São Silvestres I participated in were at night. It was a huge party in the street. I fell in love with the race and participated for six consecutive years”, said Rosa, during the event.
Athlete Carmen de Oliveira, the first Brazilian to win the event since it opened to foreign participation, also left her mark on one of the Hall of Fame plaques. “I’m here enjoying the treats you can get from a race at this level. [Hoje são] more than 55 thousand people running. I’m here seeing friends, dreaming of an increasingly better performance. So, for me, today this is a prize”, he said.
São Paulo (SP), 12/29/2025 – Runner Carmem de Oliveira, the first Brazilian to win the race since it opened to foreign participation, also left her mark on one of the plaques. Photo: Paulo Pinto/Agência Brasil – Paulo Pinto/Agência Brasil
The other honoree was Marilson dos Santos, the Brazilian who won the most São Silvestre since it became international. There were three victories, achieved in 2003, 2005 and 2010.
“It’s the biggest race we have in the country, the most popular, the race that everyone watches, the race that everyone hears about. Everyone who says they’re running and that they’re starting wants to run [a São Silvestre]. So it is very gratifying to have been part of the history of São Silvestre”, he said.
The 100th edition of São Silvestre takes place next Wednesday morning (31). This year, more than 55 thousand people signed up to participate in the race, reaching a new record for the race.
