Marathon de Rio de Janeiro

My girlfriend and me went to Rio for our first ever marathon. We do not speak any portuguese and we did not get a lot of information in English. They changed the course 11 days before the start of the marathon, did was not great for hotel booking and stuff. When it came to the race itself it was a great experience, and we were happy about the marathon.

I did my first Marathon in Rio de Janeiro. So was a dream to me to completed. I like very much this marathon. The organization of the event was very pontual about: supplies and the marathon team. The view is amazing very particular of Rio de Janeiro. During all race you are able to sea the amazing beach. Two things you have to be in mind to do this Marathon. The first one is the very hot climate. In the beggining, 07:00 am, you already fell the sun. The other thing is, when you are in the middle of the marathon, you have to doapproximately approximately three killometers with a inclination very consider. I recomend you to do it. It's a view that you will not see in any place of the world.

42km.

Well...Rio. Do I need to say more? Although the temperatures will be probably too hot to run as fast as you like, running all the way to Rio with a constant ocean view will get you good vibes. When it's still dark the organization gets you transportation all the way, 42k, out of Rio. When you arrive it's still dark and you can see the sun rise as you chill on the beach. Waiting for the marathon to start. As soon as it starts you'll feel that sun probably getting on your skin. But running alongside the ocean is incredible. You'll pass a favela (township) and see some tropical forest. And the closer you come to Rio, the more you get that special feeling. You'll pass all the famous beaches. I even stepped out at Copacabana to get a fresh young coconut at my favorite beach place. So after Ipanema and Copacabana you'll head for a finish near Flamengo. Within 10 minutes from finish I was on the beach with another coconut and a beautiful medal around my neck. Looking at that sugarloaf mountain. And Rio...well, the hardest part is not to party too hard the days before the marathon. What a city. For me it was the perfect combination of summers holidays and running a marathon.

Rio was my first marathon way back in 2003, I've done over 20 marathons on 3 continents but Rio is special, Brazil is special. The original route started 42km out and it was/is a smooth mostly flat run with the sea and beach on your right, June is there winter but its still warm, though the early start helps. the crowds are not big at all, niether are the number of runners, its not Paris/London/NYC but its such a cool race, so far from the rest of the world, life is much less regulated, much freer and much more fun...!

42Km mostly flat apart from Av. Neiermyer just past half way but now the course has changed to so check first. The new course is still amazing as its out and back from Flamengo out through Botafogo, Copacabana and on to Ipanema and Leblon, then turn round and bring it home... all by the sea.