Corrida de Vera Cruz

Corrida de Vera Cruz is Rio de Janeiro’s official New Year’s Eve morning street race, a 15 km run connected to the city’s end-of-year festivities. It takes place on the Copacabana waterfront, offering runners a way to conclude the year with sport before the beach crowds and fireworks mood dominate the city. The route connects Copacabana with several of Rio’s central landmarks, including Santos Dumont Airport, the Museum of Tomorrow, the Monument to the Pracinhas, the National Historical Museum, and the Museum of Modern Art. Approximately 18,000 runners from various parts of Brazil are anticipated, with tourists already in town for New Year’s Eve contributing to the crowd around the event. The race is supported by Rio’s state and city governments, involving sports and tourism departments, positioning it within the city’s broader New Year program.