Rio de Janeiro’s Complexo da Maré has played host to the second edition of the historic Destemidas community run, bringing together 150 athletes of all ages, and a number of special guests. Literally translated, Destemidas means Fearless Women in Portuguese. 

The start and finish of the 4km route is directly in front of the Academy buildings of Luta pela Paz (Fight for Peace’s sister organisation) and the circuit takes participating runners around some of the local community’s principal points.

The run, alongside the wider Destemidas project, aims to encourage participation in physical activity among women, and spark debate on gender equality in sport. 

It seeks to promote the potential of young women and girls from Maré and beyond, using sport as a tool for personal development, and strengthen the protagonism of women in spaces that were for many years viewed as masculine.   

“Sport needs to be everywhere. We all want good health and that zest for life, the relief that running gives us. And it’s even more important for those women facing daily barriers.” 

Carol Barcellos, Brazilian journalist

The women and girls taking part in the latest version of this community run were drawn from a mixture of members of Luta pela Paz, local mums, and residents of the community.

Special guests included journalist and Destemidas Co-Founder Carol Barcellos, actor Thierry Figueira and the project’s cardiologist Alessandra Siqueira.

“Sport needs to be everywhere”, said Carol Barcellos. “We all want good health and that zest for life, the relief that running gives us. And it’s even more important for those women facing daily barriers.” 

The event was only made possible with the help of over 50 volunteers – who coordinated the route, and hydration and support stations – and thanks to the generous backing of sponsors Global Sports Mentoring Program; Bahia Asset Management; Mattos Filho; Credit Suisse; Verde Asset Management; Instituto Phi and  Bocom BBM. A big thank you to everyone that support the run and the wider project, and a massive well done to all the women and girls that took part in this latest event!

This article was translated and adapted from an original piece written by Matheus de Araujo and published on lutapelapaz.org.