With victories this Tuesday morning (31) in both the men’s and women’s races, the Kenyans maintained their hegemony in the São Silvestre International Race.
Since they debuted in the competition in 1992, they have 19 victories in the women’s race and 18 in the men’s race. One of the race’s biggest winners, with five victories, is also Kenyan: Paul Tergat, who achieved the podium in 1995, 1996, 1998, 1999 and 2000.
This Tuesday, Kenyan Agnes Keino won the 15 kilometers of the traditional São Paulo street race in 51 minutes and 25 seconds. Second place also went to a Kenyan, Cynthia Chemweno, with a time of 52 minutes 11 seconds. In the men’s category, the victory went to Kenyan Wilson Too, with a time of 44 minutes and 21 seconds.
Among the Brazilians, Nubia de Oliveira Silva took third place, finishing the race in 53 minutes and 24 seconds; and Tatiane Raquel da Silva in fifth, with a time of 53 minutes 51 seconds.
“Placing two Brazilian women among the top five was a special day,” said Tatiane, in a press conference held at the end of the race.
“When I arrived at Brigadeiro [a subida da Avenida Brigadeiro Luiz Antônio, que termina com a chegada na Avenida Paulista] I saw that the foreigners were about 100 meters in front of me. But I saw that it was possible to reach third place. With the encouragement of the public, I increased the pace and, when I saw that we were going to enter Avenida Paulista, a great strength came out of me”, said Nubia, who took third place five seconds ahead of Tanzanian Anastazia Dolomongo.
In the men’s category, the best placed Brazilian was Johnatas de Oliveira Cruz, who reached fourth place on the podium, with a time of 45 minutes and 32 seconds. Last year, he had also been the best Brazilian at São Silvestre, but in sixth place.
“This year we showed that we are closer to breaking this hegemony [de vitórias de atletas africanos]. We have to focus three months in advance for São Silvestre. It’s focus, a calm head and the main thing: a lot of mentality”, he said.
According to the runners, the big highlight of today’s race was the public’s excitement: “I loved the race because there were a lot of fans along the route”, commented Cynthia.
“São Silvestre has a good energy, which gives you goosebumps when you climb Brigadeiro. It’s a great energy”, added Tatiane.
Heat
High-performance athletes also agree that the heat was the main difficulty in completing the race. “I felt the weather after 10 kilometers, when it started to get warmer. I took the opportunity to hydrate a lot during the test. When we arrived at Brigadeiro, I was already tired and couldn’t fight until the end. The weather weighed heavily on everyone”, said Tatiane.
“I am really happy. The race was good. But the weather conditions were difficult because of the heat”, agreed the women’s champion of the event, Agnes Keino.
“The weather was warmer than last year. But I intend to return next year”, said the champion of the men’s race, who used São Silvestre as preparation for the Seville Marathon, in Spain.
Brazil has not reached the top of the São Silvestre podium for many years. In the men’s category, the last victory was in 2010, when Marilson dos Santos won his third title. In the women’s category, the last victory was in 2006, with Lucélia Peres.
