São Silvestre 2025: check out the route, the favorites, and where to watch the 100th edition of the traditional street race on December 31st!

It's a tradition: for 100 years, on December 31st, many people take to the streets of São Paulo for the São Silvestre International Race. Always held on the last day of the year, the event reaches its 100th edition, with a record number of athletes and opportunities for sports betting for running enthusiasts.

With a 15-kilometer course, the São Silvestre is not quite a marathon (42 kilometers are needed to be considered one). In this special guide prepared for Blaze on New Year's Eve atmosphere, you can remember a bit of the history of the competition, the course, and the runners of the great event that closes out 2025!

What is the São Silvestre International Race?

Created in 1925, the São Silvestre Race had around 60 participants in its first edition. Held on the streets of São Paulo, it was less than 9 kilometers long when it started and was run at night.

Initially, only Brazilians could compete, but the opening to foreigners began in the 1920s, with the Italian-Brazilian Heitor Blasi, based in São Paulo, being allowed to participate. It was only in the 1940s that the race became considered international.

Until 1974, the São Silvestre was only contested by men. Women began to participate in the race in 1975. The daytime race, as we know it today, only started in 1989, with the morning event only from 2011 onwards.

In 2025, the athletics competition will reach its 100th edition, as it is one of the few sporting events that has not been interrupted by external factors, such as the Second World War, for example. The only time it did not take place was in 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

For the current edition, the São Silvestre race received approximately 55,000 entries from athletes from 48 countries, almost half of whom were women. After all, this year also marks the 50th edition with female participation.

Open to all audiences, it has the general female and general male categories, elite A/B female and male categories, and is also open to people with disabilities (PWD).

What is the route of the 2025 São Silvestre race?

Over the years, the São Silvestre race course has undergone modifications. The 8.8 kilometers of the first edition became 6.2 kilometers the following year, returning to almost 9 kilometers afterward, and undergoing slight alterations.

The 15-kilometer course was established in 1991. The starting line is traditionally on Avenida Paulista, now between Rua Frei Caneca and Rua Augusta. The finish line is in front of the Fundação Cásper Líbero building, also on Paulista Avenue.

Athletes pass through iconic locations in São Paulo during the race, such as the Pacaembu stadium, Praça da República, and the Municipal Theater. The most challenging section of the race is considered to be the climb up Avenida Brigadeiro Luís Antônio, near the end of the course.

What time does the race start?

All athletes must pass through the same locations, but at different times. There are six different starts. At 7:25 am (local time - GMT-3), the race for athletes with disabilities begins. Then, at 7:40 am, the elite women's race begins, followed by the elite men's race at 8:05 am.

One minute later, the amateur runners with disabilities start, followed, at 8:08 am, by the premium group, with male and female amateur athletes with the best pace. Finally, at 8:10 am, it is the turn of the other amateur athletes.

Great Champions of the São Silvestre Race

Separated by eras, the São Silvestre Race had a moment when only athletes from the state of São Paulo won the event, with José Tibúrcio dos Santos from Minas Gerais breaking the hegemony of the neighboring state. The internationalization of the competition also significantly changed the medal count.

Now, Kenya is the country with the most champions, with 37 titles, 19 in the women's category and 18 in the men's. Brazil has 16, with 11 among men and five among women.

Remember the greatest champions and athletes who stood out in 100 years of São Silvestre.

Who are the greatest female champions?

Since the category was only included in 1975, there are far fewer women champions in the São Silvestre race. The German Christa Vahlensieck was the first winner, becoming a two-time champion in 1975 and 1976. The Portuguese Rosa Mota is the most successful champion in the road race, with six titles, all consecutive, won from 1981 to 1986.

For four years, between 1989 and 1992, Mexico dominated the race, with María Del Carmen Díaz winning three years, interrupted by María Luisa Servín in 1991. Another to win more than once was Olivera Jevtić, first for Yugoslavia, then for Serbia and Montenegro, in 1998 and 2005.

The first Brazilian to win was Carmen Oliveira in 1995, followed by Roseli Machado the following year. Maria Zeferina Baldaia and Marizete de Paula Rezende won in 2001 and 2002, with Lucélia Peres being the last Brazilian champion in 2006.

But the dominance of Kenyan women is striking. Hellen Kimaiyo was the first from the country to win in 1993. Kenya returned to the top with Lydia Cheromei in 1999. She also repeated the 1st place in 2000 and 2004. Another 12 runners from the country took the gold, with Alice Timbilili (2007 and 2010), Sandrafelis Chebet (2018 and 2021), and Catherine Reline (2022 and 2023) winning twice each.

Ethiopian Yimer Wude Ayalew was the only runner from another country to break Kenya's consistency since 2007, with three titles in 2008, 2014, and 2015. Agnes Keino, also from Kenya, is the current São Silvestre champion, having won in 2024.

Who are the greatest male champions?

Twenty-two countries have already won the gold medal in the men's category of the São Silvestre race. The Italian-Brazilian Heitor Blasi was the first person born abroad to win the race in 1927 and 1929. Two multi-champions from that first era of the race were Nestor Gomes, winner in 1932, 1933, and 1935, and Joaquim Gonçalves da Silva, winner from 1942 to 1944, consecutively.

Until 1946, Brazilians dominated. The first foreigner to win the race was Uruguayan Oscar Moreira in 1947. Brazil had no champions until 1979. José João da Silva finally put Brazilians back in the hall of champions in 1980. He returned to the highest place on the podium in 1985.

Kenyans began to show their power in men's road racing in 1992, with Simon Chemwoiywo, who repeated the feat in 1993. Paul Tergat has five titles: in 1995, 1996, 1998, 1999, and 2000.

Four Brazilians, five Ethiopians, one athlete from Bahrain, and one Ugandan were the ones who interrupted Kenya's winning streaks. Marílson Gomes dos Santos, who finished 5th in the marathon at the 2012 London Olympic Games, was the last Brazilian champion in 2010. Kenyan Wilson Too is the current champion, having won the title in 2024.

Where to watch the 2025 São Silvestre Race

Fans of the São Silvestre International Race can follow the 100th edition of the event both on the streets of São Paulo, for those nearby, and on television, at home. TV Gazeta broadcast the athletics competition on YouTube.

Bet on sports at Blaze.

The 2025 São Silvestre International Race is another opportunity for sports fans to increase the fun with betting. Here at Blaze, you can choose your favorite sport and place your bets.

All, of course, with responsibility and awareness. Sports betting is an entertainment activity and should never be confused with investments. Use only funds intended for this type of entertainment, without harming other aspects of life. Responsible Gaming is the greatest ally of bettors.

Bet now on your favorite sports at Blaze and cheer for your favorite athletes and teams!