Rodrigo Oliveira – Local Hero, Sub-20 Legend
In an event defined by global competition, it was local Brazilian standout Rodrigo Oliveira who delivered one of the most emotional and celebrated victories of the week, winning his category in under 20 hours and doing so on his home terrain, in front of an electrified Nova Trento crowd.
Rodrigo is no stranger to the region’s rugged trails. The dense forest, the exposed climbs, the unpredictable footing—features he trained on for years. But on race day, he elevated his performance into something extraordinary.
From the opening kilometres, Rodrigo showed a calm but assertive rhythm, staying near the front without overextending. His pacing was immaculate. As international athletes battled the humidity and technical terrain, Rodrigo looked almost effortless, feeding off the cheers at every village crossing.
He made his move at the halfway mark, strengthening his lead with a series of powerful climbs and opening a gap that would grow steadily over the final hours.
Every split confirmed what the spectators already felt: they were watching a homegrown masterclass.
As he entered the final stretch, the atmosphere in Nova Trento transformed. Crowds lined the barriers, flags waved, and the noise swelled into a roar as Rodrigo sprinted home in one of the fastest times ever recorded on the course.
His sub-20 finish didn’t just secure a win; it ignited national pride. Local media highlighted him as the face of Brazil’s trail-running future, and fans gathered long after the finish to celebrate him as their champion.
"Running here isn’t just racing," Rodrigo said. "It’s representing every person who trained on these trails before me. This wasn’t my victory alone; it belonged to Nova Trento."
