By Mary Carroll, Contributing Reporter
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – Motorists have been warned not to leave their cars in Zona Sul (South Zone) on Sunday, August 19th, as the 16th edition of the Rio International Half Marathon takes place. Several streets will be sectioned off in the neighborhoods of São Conrado, Leblon, Ipanema, Copacabana, Botafogo and Flamengo.
The race started at 8:30 AM for disabled participants, and the elite women’s race kicked off at 8:35 AM and the elite men’s race started at 9AM along with the rest of the participants. The main part of the race will be on Avenida Prefeito Mendes de Morais in São Conrado.
Reversible lanes are in place from 7AM until the last runner passes, or at the very latest until 1PM. It will apply to the following routes; Avenida Princesa Isabel, Túnel Novo, Avenida Lauro Sodré, Túnel do Pasmado and Avenida das Nações Unidas.
Runner Maria Aparecida Setta is looking forward to the race and believes that the Rio International Half Marathon has the most beautiful routes. Aparecida Setta says the heat may be the biggest difficulty; “Typically, the races here in Rio de Janeiro start earlier [but] traditionally the Half International has a later start.”
“The problem is that this time of year the temperature begins to rise and this hinders performance for everyone. The strong sunlight and hot asphalt 10:30 AM after having already traveled more than 15 km is not for anyone.” she explains.
Last year Mark Korir won the men’s race with a time of 01:01:33, and Eunice Jepkirui Kirwa won the women’s in 01:10:29. The course map and results can be seen at the race’s web site here.
Read more (in Portuguese).
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