São Silvestre race honoured by São Paulo City Council for its 100th edition | OneFootball

The most traditional street race in the country, the São Silvestre International Race received a tribute for its 100th edition, which will take place on December 31st. The São Paulo City Council honored the São Silvestre with the Silver Salver in a solemn session on Friday night.

One of the highest honors offered by the legislature of the São Paulo capital, the Silver Salver was presented by councilwoman Renata Falzoni (PSB) to the Cásper Líbero Foundation, represented by São Silvestre’s executive director, Erick Castelhero, and by Laerte Gueller Junior, the foundation’s administrative and financial superintendent.

Authorities, runners who made history in the race, and personalities connected to the running world attended the tribute, such as federal deputy Tabata Amaral (PSB), state deputy Eduardo Suplicy (PT), the president of the São Paulo Athletics Federation, Joel de Oliveira, the executive director of the Brazilian Athletics Confederation (CBAt), Cláudio Castilho, and the general superintendent of TV Gazeta, Juliana Algañaraz.

Two-time São Silvestre champion, runner José João da Silva, who won the race in 1980 and 1985, also attended the event, as did Emerson Iser Bem, who won the race in 1997.

(Photo: Thais Bueno/Gazeta Press)

The Solemn Session, held in the Noble Hall of the São Paulo City Council, began with a brief speech by councilwoman Renata Falzoni. Afterwards, a video was shown featuring the best moments of the São Silvestre throughout its 101 years of existence, with special emphasis on the 2024 edition. That’s when the testimonials began.

“It is an immense joy to be in the House of the People talking about a race that is made for the people. I think that’s one of the secrets to São Silvestre’s longevity. It’s a story of 101 years. 2020 was paused due to the pandemic, after having gone through a World War and a Constitutional Revolution. We came back in full force, with the joy it brings, with the opportunities it offers. For aspiring athletes, remarkable figures, or anyone who wants to reach the top of the podium,” said Erick Castelhero, executive director of the race.

“It’s an honor to be here, I’m very happy to have this space for the Cásper Líbero Foundation. He [Cásper Líbero] put the race into practice through his pioneering spirit and it’s an honor to have a moment dedicated to someone so important. Thank you to the Council and to Renata [Falzoni] for the tribute, which will be marked by the 100th edition,” he added.

Solemn Session at the São Paulo City Council paid tribute to the São Silvestre (Photo: Thais Bueno/Gazeta Press)

Renata Falzoni, of course, also gave her testimony. The councilwoman mentioned the pride she felt that the first year of her term coincided with the 100th edition of the international race and highlighted the importance of occupying the streets with an event as big as the São Silvestre.

“The São Silvestre started in 1925, went through World War II, through the Constitutional Revolution. This event is unquestionable. It is an event that marks my city internationally. I am very proud of that. Each edition is more rewarding than the last. Every person who crosses the finish line is already a winner. The São Silvestre is a popular sport! We must always encourage physical activity, especially in the streets, occupying public spaces. This will be the 50th year that women can participate. That was actually quite early, because women’s cycling in the Olympic Games only came in the 1980s. We need to highlight that number,” she declared.

The president of the São Paulo Athletics Federation (FPA), Joel de Oliveira, will be attending his seventh edition of the São Silvestre and also emphasized the importance of the race.

“The São Paulo Athletics Federation turned 100 years old last year. We have been partners with the São Silvestre since the first edition. Every year brings new lessons, emotions, and challenges that we face together. The energy we experience is fantastic. I’d like to thank all the athletics workers. This race represents the very best that Brazilian athletics produces. Thousands of people benefit directly and indirectly. Your reminder [Renata Falzoni] was extremely relevant,” added the official.

The traditional São Silvestre race

Conceived by journalist Cásper Líbero, the São Silvestre was initially held at the turn of the year as the main New Year’s Eve event in São Paulo and, to this day, is a traditional year-end milestone in the city. The race is considered the most iconic in South America, with thousands of runners participating and attracting competitors from various countries around the world.

Currently, the São Silvestre takes place in the morning over a 15km course and is part of the IAAF (International Association of Athletics Federations) calendar. Scheduled for December 31st, the 100th edition of the race is already sold out and is expected to gather 55,000 participants, with the start and finish on the famous Avenida Paulista.

“I am very happy to be here. This comes from someone who grew up far from sports. I come from the outskirts of São Paulo, I grew up very far from sports. I grew up watching the São Silvestre with my father, and we think that’s for other people. I came from a region that didn’t have any sports facilities. Of course, we grow up thinking it’s not for us. Running came to me very late, after the pandemic. I was always sedentary, that nerd, and running was the only thing that convinced me, that made sense to me,” said deputy Tabata Amaral.

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“My goal when I started [running] was to do the São Silvestre. And I’m very determined. I was so-so, but I did it and never stopped. I’ve already done three half-marathons, I’m going for my third São Silvestre. Running healed me, I do it to feel good. Running means a lot to me today, especially professionally. It changed my perception of sports,” she continued.

State deputy Eduardo Suplicy said that he will also participate in the 100th edition of the São Silvestre. The invitation was even extended by the politician to Mayor Ricardo Nunes (MDB).

At the end of the event, Suplicy and Tabata Amaral were honored by councilwoman Renata Falzoni, as was Juliana Algañaraz. Some historic runners of the race and other personalities were also briefly celebrated, such as Marilson do Santos (three-time champion), Alfredo Gomes (winner of the first edition, represented by his grandson), Osvaldo Arvate Júnior (president of the Esperia club), Lucélia Peres (champion in 2006), José João da Silva (two-time champion) and Emerson Iser Bem (champion in 1997), Maria Zeferina Baldaia (champion in 2001), Wanderlei Oliveira (athlete and coach), Ronaldo da Costa (champion in 1994), Carmem de Oliveira (champion in 1996), João da Mata (champion in 1986) and Gisa Oliveira (influencer and athlete), as well as Marizete de Paula Rezende (champion in 2002).

Tributes marked the end of the Solemn Session (Photo: Thais Bueno/Gazeta Press)

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.