Run #19 of my 52@52 challenge took place in Aracaju, the capital of Sergipe, on the beautiful Atalaia and Cinelândia beaches. My wife and I split this half marathon into three parts: an early-morning long run on the beachfront avenue, a 5 km race in support of marine manatee preservation, and a final stretch to complete the 21.1 km distance.​

Part 1 – Sunrise Run on Avenida Santos Dumont

We started at 5 a.m. from our Airbnb apartment, about 500 meters from the beach, with my wife on a rented bike riding alongside me. The first 10 km were along Avenida Santos Dumont, the main beachfront avenue on Atalaia Beach. Several times a week, part of this avenue is closed to cars and turned into  “Área de Proteção ao Ciclista e Corredor (APCC)”, giving runners, walkers, and cyclists a wide, safe space beyond the usual sidewalks and bike lanes. I loved this initiative, and it seems I’m not alone—by 5 a.m. the avenue was already packed with people taking advantage of the cooler temperatures and the chance to start the day watching the sunrise over the ocean.​

To make things even more motivating, every Saturday independent sports photographers capture photos of runners and cyclists and later upload them to dedicated platforms, where you can search for and purchase your images. For March 14, the photos of that morning were published on the Foco Radical website, under the event “Treino Foco na Orla de Atalaia”.

​3D videos for you to rotate the angles as you want:

Part 2 – 1st “Corrida do Peixe-Boi”

At 6:30 a.m., we lined up for the 1st “Corrida do Peixe-Boi” (Manatee Run), a 5 km race starting on Cinelândia Beach. My wife left the bike at the start and ran the 5 km too. The event was organized by Fundação Mamíferos Aquáticos (FMA), with support from the city of Aracaju and the Jardins Mall, to raise funds and awareness for the conservation of the marine manatee, an endangered species with an estimated population of only around 1,000 individuals along the Brazilian coast.

One of these manatees, named Astro, is a frequent visitor to the beaches near Aracaju and unfortunately suffered a serious accident in February, when a motorized boat hit him and the propeller caused several deep cuts on his body. The FMA launched the #JuntosPorAstro campaign to help fund his treatment and call attention to the need for better protection of these animals. The race course, on the compact sand of Cinelândia Beach, was very well organized, with multiple water stations, medical support, and good logistics from start to finish.

Part 3 – Snacks, Juice, and Closing the 21.1 km

After crossing the finish line, we took a well-deserved break for some snacks, water, and a delicious natural guava juice before heading out again. Recharged, my wife got back on the bike and we added a bit more distance along the beachfront until I completed the 21.1 km total for the day. This run–race–run format turned out to be a fantastic way to enjoy both Atalaia and Cinelândia beaches while also contributing to a meaningful cause.

Body Status and Running Unplugged

For this run I decided not to listen to any audiobook or music on purpose, so I could really soak in the environment—the sound of the waves, the early-morning movement on the beachfront, and the energy of the race. My legs were already bothering me at the beginning, as they hadn’t fully recovered during the week after the tough run on the sand in Maragogi, probably also due to the long beach walks my wife and I did every morning in Aracaju. The good news is that the discomfort didn’t get worse during the run, which was a big relief because I was a bit worried before starting. With a calmer week and some extra rest, I’m confident my legs will be ready for the next half marathon.

Supporting #JuntosPorAstro and Closing the “Outside USA” Chapter

This half marathon in Aracaju was much more than just another training session; it was a way to connect my 52@52 journey with a local environmental cause that really matters. Running by the ocean while supporting the preservation of the marine manatee—and especially Astro—made this day unforgettable. With this run, I also closed the cycle of races outside the USA on this challenge, since I’ll be flying back home soon. The next posts will look a bit more “regular” again, but this Brazilian stretch of the project will always have a special place in my memory.