Kenyan Wilson Too, 33 years old, won this Tuesday (12/31) the 2024 edition of the São Silvestre Race. He closed the 99th edition of the race with a time of 44 minutes and 22 seconds. Johnatas Cruz, in fourth place, was the best Brazilian.
Wilson Too dominated the entire race. In the final stretch, he was approached by Joseph Panga, from Tanzania, but managed to maintain the lead on the climb of Brigadeiro Luís Antonio. With the number 1 on his chest, he headed strongly towards the finish line at the beginning of Avenida Paulista.
MORE: who won the women’s race at São Silvestre 2024?
It was Kenya’s 18th victory in the traditional event that ends the sporting year on the streets of São Paulo. With this, the African country increased the distance to Brazil, the second biggest winner, with 11 victories.
MORE: São Silvestre: who are the biggest winners and how many times Kenya has won the race
What is the prize for São Silvestre 2024?
The 99th edition of São Silvestre had 7.5 thousand registrants, a record number for the event. The top six in the male and female categories received prizes. The winners of the men’s and women’s events won the same amount: R$59,732, almost R$2,800 more than last year’s event, which had a value to the winner of R$56,975.00.
See the São Silvestre awards
- 1st place: R$59,732.00
- 2nd place: R$ 29,868.00
- 3rd place: R$ 17,943.00
- 4th place: R$ 14,331.00
- 5th place: R$ 11,977.00
- 6th place: R$ 7,113.00
When did São Silvestre start to be contested?
São Silvestre began to be contested in 1925, designed by journalist Casper Líbero, inspired by a night race he witnessed in Paris. The name of the race refers to the patron saint of December 31st.
Until 1944, only Brazilians could participate in the race, something that changed from 1945, when the race entered its international phase. Initially, only corridors from South American countries were called, something that was later increased.
The first distance from São Silvestre was 8.8km, being modified several times over the years. The current 15km has been in effect since 1991.
In the first 50 years of São Silvestre, only the men’s race was held. The women’s competition only began to be played in 1975.
Which countries have won the most in São Silvestre?
Men (international stage)
Kenya – 18
Brazil – 11
Belgium – 6
Colombia – 6
Ethiopia – 5
Ecuador – 4
Portugal – 4
Mexico – 4
Argentina – 3
Italy – 2
United States – 2
Yugoslavia – 2
United Kingdom – 2
Chile – 2
France – 2
Uruguay – 1
Finland – 1
Germany – 1
Costa Rica – 1
Czechoslovakia – 1
Bahrain – 1
Uganda – 1
Feminine
Kenya – 19
Portugal – 7
Brazil – 5
Mexico – 4
Ethiopia – 4
Germany – 3
United States – 2
Ecuador – 2
Denmark – 1
Yugoslavia – 1
Serbia and Montenegro – 1
Who are São Silvestre’s biggest winners?
Among men, the record holder is Kenyan Paul Tergat, who won the event five times. In the women’s category, Portuguese Rosa Mota won the race on six occasions.
What is São Silvestre’s record?
In the men’s race, Kenyan Kibiwot Kandie holds the record with a time of 42 minutes and 59 seconds, achieved in the 2019 race.
In the female category, the record is held by Kenyan Jemima Sumgong, in 2016. The athlete completed the race in 48 minutes and 35 seconds.
