Brazil is one of the largest countries in the world with over 200 million inhabitants.
The nation has an estimated growth rate of one new inhabitant every 19 seconds. The national sport in Brazil is undoubtedly football. After all, Brazil is the nation with the most World Cup titles in the world's most popular sport.
Other important sports are volleyball, tennis and capoeira. In the 21st century, the volleyball team has already won the men's world championship and the women's Olympic championship several times. Brazil is also one of the dominant nations in beach volleyball. Once a year, an F1 race is held in Sao Paulo. The Autódromo José Carlos Pace, located there, is one of the most historically important racetracks in the Formula 1 circus. After all, Formula 1 has been raced here almost continuously since 1990.
But several major running events and triathlons also make headlines around the world every year.
The biggest running events in Brazil
Sau Paulo and Rio de Janeiro in particular are the sites of many huge running events. In Rio, this is the Maratona do Rio de Janeiro, which is held in June. Nearly 10,000 athletes compete in the marathon, and even more in the half marathon, which takes place at the same time. Two other well-known half marathons in the coastal metropolis are the Rio City Half Marathon and the Rio de Janeiro Half Marathon.
There are also several major running events in Sao Paulo. The marathon is run in the spring at the Maratona de Sao Paulo and in the summer at the SP City Marathon. Another well-known international half marathon is the Meia Maratona Internacional de Cidade de Sao Paulo.
However, the most important international race in Brazil, the Corrida Internacional de São Silvestre, is held on the last day of the year. More than 20,000 runners compete in the 15-kilometre race, including several world-class runners from abroad.
Triathlons in Brazil: The Triathlon Sport is Booming
Brazil is also one of the most popular destinations for triathletes from all over the world. The two big triathlon series IRONMAN and Challenge have long since discovered the country's potential and regularly hold races here. In Fortaleza, Maceió, Rio de Janeiro and Florianopolis, for example, an IRONMAN 70.3 is held. In Florianopolis there is also an IRONMAN over the long distance. Challenge events are held in the capital Brasilia, in Salvador and in Florianopolis.
All Running Races in Brazil (sorted by date) can be found in the following overview:
Running competitions 2026 in Brazil
INDOMIT Pedra do Baú
 | 28.03.2026 ✔ |
| |
 | São Bento do Sapucaí |
 | 80 km (4.821 Hm) / 50 km / 35 km / 21 km / 12 km |
Paraty Brazil by UTMB - Ultra-Trail Serra da Bocaina
| 18.09.2026 ✔ |
| |
| Paraty |
| 110 km (5.700 Hm) / 55 km (3.140 Hm) / 35 km (1.300 Hm) / 23 km (700 Hm) |
Go to the running calendar Brazil
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