El Niño and high temperatures increase attention to hydration in the 2026 Taper Race

Corrida do Círio Wagner Santana The 41st edition of the Corrida do Círio will be held on the 17th and 18th of October, at Portal da Amazônia, in Belém. With 5 km and 10 km races, the competition will have reinforced hydration points for athletes given the possibility of high temperatures and the climate scenario predicted for 2026. The organization has increased the number of hydration points along the routes and is preparing measures to offer more safety and comfort to participants during the race. race. Care becomes more important given the high temperatures traditionally recorded in the capital of Pará and the possibility of the influence of a new episode of El Niño. According to the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), the climate phenomenon is strengthening in the Pacific Ocean and could influence temperature and rainfall patterns in different regions of the planet. In July, the organization warned that El Niño could quickly intensify and increase the likelihood of heat waves, droughts and other extreme events. Click and follow the g1 Pará channel on WhatsApp Corrida do Círio: Registration for the biggest street race in the Amazon is open In Brazil, the National Institute of Meteorology (Inmet) also predicts a greater probability of above-average temperatures in a large part of the country in the second half of 2026. For areas in central-northern Brazil, the combination of high temperatures and lower rainfall can intensify the effects of heat. El Niño, however, does not mean that all regions will necessarily experience higher temperatures. The phenomenon may temporarily contribute to warming in a scenario of increasing global average temperatures. Heat increases attention to hydration During running, the body produces heat and uses sweat as one of the main mechanisms to cool the body. At high temperatures, the effort to maintain body temperature increases, as does fluid loss. In hot and humid environments, such as Belém, sweat evaporation can also be impaired, increasing thermal stress on the runner. Adequate hydration helps the body maintain fluid balance and regulate temperature during physical activity. The need for hydration varies according to factors such as intensity and duration of the race, temperature, humidity, body weight and individual sweat rate. Therefore, care must begin before the start. The recommendation is that athletes maintain good hydration in the days leading up to the competition and arrive at the race already hydrated. During the route, they must use the available hydration points and follow a strategy suited to their needs. After the race, fluid replacement is also important for recovery. Excess water, however, can also pose risks. Therefore, experts advise that runners do not try unfamiliar strategies on race day. "We are looking at the athlete's experience as a whole. In addition to thinking about the organization of routes and starting times, we are evaluating measures that can offer more comfort to runners during the race. Hydration and care for weather conditions are priorities for the organization in this edition", explains Vinicius Volpi, from the Corrida do Círio organizing team. Preparation begins before the race With the possibility of hotter conditions, individual preparation also gains importance. The use of light and comfortable clothing, protection against the sun, adequate nutrition and hydration before, during and after the race are some of the precautions recommended for athletes. The organization also advises that participants respect their own body limits and pay attention to signs such as dizziness, weakness, nausea, headache and other symptoms of malaise. In case of changes during the race, the advice is to contact the event's medical team. Athletes should also avoid sudden changes in their diet or hydration routine on the day of the race and maintain strategies already tested during training. Fantasy: 6h35; Special Categories: 6h40; Elite Squad: 6h45; General Category: 6h50. The Círio race is part of the Círio de Nazaré program and brings together professional and amateur runners, teams, advisors and athletes from the special categories.