It’s no secret that Rio is Brazil’s capital for physical wellbeing, but whether that is for health or aesthetic reasons still remains to be seen. Nonetheless, body worship in the Cidade Maravilhosa is a big deal, especially as the balmy temperatures ensure that cariocas have to maintain a summer body all year round. And the ever-present option of outdoor activity favors the practice of sport, especially running which is one of the most popular in Rio. The city offers some excellent running routes set amongst some of the most incredible backdrops you’ll find in a city. You only have to pass by one of Rio’s many cycle ways and you’ll see dozens of runners, ranging from the weekend aficionado to the marathon runner training at full tilt. So get your stretches in and lace up those running shoes as we take you down Rio’s best runs.
7km of picture postcard views from Botafogo Beach to Santos Dumont Airport. Guanabara Bay, Sugarloaf Mountain, The World War II Memorial, downtown and the Museu de Arte Moderna (MAM-Rio) all make up the backdrop of your run. The route is properly marked out with the distance at 100m intervals and follows the curves of the coast making the landscape even more interesting. On Sundays you can run on the road itself as it is closed to cars. It is here that the main marathons in Rio take place.
The classic stretch chosen by many runners in Zona Sul, Lagoa is almost a perfect Olympic lap measuring 7.5km. Again each 100m interval is marked out on the ground making it easy to monitor the distance you have left in your wake. The views are spectacular especially around sunset rending a simple run into a sensational experience. Also on this run, you’ll pass 4 different neighborhoods. Just remember to keep alert at nighttime as not all of the route is
It’s almost 8km from Avenida Niemeyer in Leblon to Pedra do Leme, a run that always has the sea on the horizon. An ideal course for sunrise (running towards Leme) or sunset (running towards Leblon). The beach walk here is always busy and during the “there and back” you’ll notice the stares between runners can become intense as the odd flirtatious glance is exchanged. But surely the best thing about this run is being able to take a refreshing dip in the sea at any moment.
This 8km stretch of road (there and back) inside the Tijuca Forest National is closed to cars on weekends between 8am and 5pm. Sumptuous rainforest, spectacular views over the city, pauses at the Vista Chinesa viewpoint and natural waterfalls make this mountain route utterly unmissable. But this run is for those in tip top shape if you’re really going to take on the challenging ascents and descents; it will test your cardio and your knees!
It is about 5km between Pontal Tim Maia and the beginning of Reserva Marapendi, an area that is very popular with loads of different sports enthusiasts, especially surfers. Those that have the gas can keep going after Reserva Marapendi on another stretch lasting about 8km or take the Estrada do Pontal and head up the hill which eventually gives onto Prainha, where you will jog your way to one of the most beautiful beaches in Rio de Janeiro.
Address
: Av. Lúcio Costa, , Recreio
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