The road races month

The 2002 races calendar in Brazil begins with "de Reis" (Kings') road races in the cities of Brasília, Cuiabá and São Caetano do Sul. The 10k race in Brasília had an unusual finish when the twin brothers Luís Fernando and Paulo Roberto Almeida Paula crossed the finish line together. Luís Fernado was considered the winner in 29:20 and Paulo Roberto was second in 29:21. Ednalva Laureano won the female race in 34:02.

In Cuiabá Maria Zeferina Baldaia won - just one week after her glorious victory in São Silvestre - the Corrida de Reis 10k with the new race record of 34:15. Among the men another race record when Valdenor Pereira covered the 10k in 29:29. São Caetano do Sul had also a race record when Kenyan David Cheruyot won the hilly 12k Corrida de Reis race in 35:34. The female winner was Marlene Moreira da Silva in 42:02.

The largest cities in Brazil, Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo, also had huge races. The "Wonderful City" honored San Sebatian, his patron saint, with the São Sebastião 10k road race on January 20. Three thousands runners took part in the event which winners were Valdenor Pereira dos Santos and Selma dos Reis. One week later, São Paulo celebrated his 448 years of foundation with Troféu Cidade de São Paulo 10k race. Valdenor Pereira dos Santos also won this race in 29:41 and Ednalva Laureano broke the women race record with the time of 33:43.