Athletes approve new schedule for the São Silvestre race.

Daniel Mello
Reporter from Agência Brasil

São Paulo – Brazilian and foreign athletes approved the change of schedule for the São Silvestre International Race. The 88th edition of the race, which takes place tomorrow (31) in the city of São Paulo, is scheduled for 6:50 am, with the start for wheelchair athletes. The start for elite athletes will be at 8:40 am and for high-performance male competitors at 9 am. In previous years the competition was held in the afternoon. In addition to the change of schedule, the competition, which had around 25 registered participants, returned to being held on the original route, starting and finishing on Avenida Paulista.

The change of schedule was well received by Kenyan Mark Korir, current runner-up in the race. "The organization of the São Silvestre race has greatly improved [the conditions] by choosing this time for the race. In the afternoon it was very difficult, because of the heat," he said in a press conference today (30). A similar opinion was expressed by his compatriot Joseph Aperumoi, champion of the São Paulo Half Marathon. "It will be good, because running in the morning is better because the temperature is milder."

Brazilian Paulo Roberto Paula admitted that the new schedule gave him extra motivation. Besides aiming for the podium, the athlete wants to run fast so he can spend New Year's Eve with his family. "I'm going to try to be as fast as possible, to finish the race, catch my flight to Presidente Prudente and spend New Year's with my mother," he said.

The same ambition is shared by Brazilian Marily dos Santos, ranked first by the Brazilian Athletics Confederation (CBAt). "What I want most is to spend New Year's Eve with her," she said about her mother, who, according to the athlete, was recently hospitalized. "I spent New Year's with my family when I was a teenager; this will be the first time as an adult. I'm very happy about this, I'm very emotional." Marily intends to take advantage of the downhill sections of the course to gain an advantage over her competitors.

Considered the top favorite among the Brazilians, Giovani dos Santos is betting on his preparation and hoping that a Brazilian will be the champion this year. "I had one of my best training sessions. I'm well prepared, very focused on the race. I hope to have a good race and, God willing, everything goes well and Brazil wins," he said.