São Silvestre has a mask at the start and tributes to health professionals

Among the traditional costumes at the start of São Silvestre, the novelty was the tribute to health professionals. Posters and banners recalled the work they had done in combating the Covid-19 pandemic.

One of the racers, dressed in a doctor’s outfit, carried a message claiming that they were the “true heroes” of the country.

In addition to the elite squad, from which the winners come, one of the attractions of the competition every year are the anonymous and amateur athletes who turn São Silvestre into a party.

This year, around 20 thousand people attended the event, which started and ended at Avenida Paulista, in the central area of ​​São Paulo. In the previous edition, in 2019, there were 35,000 subscribers. São Silvestre was not held in 2020 because of the pandemic. It was the first time the race was not held since the first edition, in 1925.

At the start of this year, the yellow uniforms, distributed by the organization of the event, were mixed with superhero costumes, personal messages, declarations of love, tributes to other cities and protests. There were posters with requests for the departure of President Jair Bolsonaro (PL) and others supporting him and against the STF (Superior Federal Court).

The difference this year was the mandatory use of a mask, something most obeyed, but not all.

According to the rules of the race, the use of protection was mandatory on Avenida Paulista, in the start, finish and dispersion sections. For the rest of the 15 km route, the adornment was recommended, but not required. Faced with the crowding of thousands of people, enforcement of the rule was unfeasible.

Even elite runners made the start with the mask, but did not use protection on the finish.

To run, the athletes had to present a certificate of the complete vaccination cycle. Those who received only one dose were required to show proof of a negative PCR test.

To avoid unnecessary crowds, Avenida Paulista was closed to the public. The greatest concentration of people was on the access stretch to Avenida Dr. Arnaldo, at the start, and on Avenida Brigadeiro Luís Antônio, close to the finish.

This year’s race was won by Ethiopian Belay Bezabh in the men’s category and by Kenyan Sandrafelis Chebet in the women’s.

The best Brazilian result was obtained by Daniel Nascimento, second place among men. In women, Jenifer Nascimento was third.