Running in Brazil

Hélio Augusto Ferreira Fontes ("but you can call me just Helio") is from Copacabana, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. He is 31 years old, and is a business administrator. Hélio has been a runner for four years. He belongs to a running club with about 100 members. He runs alone almost every day between 18 and 28 kilometers, and varies his workout course.

A cereal bar is Hélio choice of snack before he runs, but he says that it is typical that runners eat bananas and drink coconut water before they run.

Weather conditions are generally good in Copacabana, and Hélio's favorite weather to run is a sunny winter day of 15 degrees Celsius, or while it rains. He mentions that warm and humid summer weather of 32-36 degrees Celsius does affect running in his city. He suggests to hydrate properly and avoid running in the warmer times of the day.

While running Hélio wears shorts, a T-shirt, socks, running shoes and a heart rate monitor. Currently he owns four pair of running shoes.

Hélio reads two running magazines, and says that running is a popular activity in Rio de Janeiro. Recreational running is popular among both men and women, but running in races is more popular among men. The only danger about running in Rio de Janeiro that Hélio can think of is to be aware of cyclists and skaters when you run on the bicycle lane.

Along with his recreational running Hélio also participates in organized races. The races are usually 10 kilometers, and cost the equivalent to U.S. $ 5, which include a race packet and a medal upon completion of the race. Special trophies and medals are awarded to the top runners in each age category.

Hélio has also participated in the Rio de Janeiro and Blumenau marathons. His personal best records are 2:40 for a marathon and 1:16 for a half marathon.

When asked in his whole life where and when was his favorite run Hélio answered, "My favorite run was the 1999 Blumenau marathon. Training was a run in a mountain city named Miguel Pereira around a beautiful lake in a nice park".

Run The Planet would like to thank Hélio Augusto Ferreira Fontes from Brazil for taking part in the Planeteer Spotlight.