Luanda - The 68th edition of the traditional end-of-year race "São Silvestre" Luanda 2024 started on December 31 at 6 p.m. through the streets of the Angolan capital, with the absence of previous winners, Namibians Daniel Paulus (male) and Helalia Johannes (female).
Despite this situation, which means that the two athletes from the southern region of Africa will not be able to defend their titles, the race will feature hundreds of other national and foreign runners, as part of the celebrations of the 50th anniversary of Angola's independence, which will take place on November 11, 2025.
According to the president of the Angolan Athletics Federation (FAA), Bernardo João, the reason for the absence of foreign runners is the low value of the prizes, which allows foreign runners to look for other more attractive competitions.
The FAA president said that the prizes (3,000 US dollars) that Angola offers are not very attractive, so the professionals go looking for better offers in America and Europe, where the values are higher.
Also noteworthy is the absence of Angola's Ernestina Paulino, third in the previous edition, who could compete with the foreign contestants on December 31.
Eight countries, including Somalia, Guinea-Bissau and Ethiopia, are participating in the Luanda event.
The 10-kilometer race will start at Largo da Mutamba, pass through Avenida Amílcar Cabral, Revolução de Outubro, Ho-Chi-Minh, Alameda Manuel Van-Dúnem, Largo do Kinaxixi, Rua da Missão, Cirilo da Conceição, 4 de Fevereiro, Largo do Baleizão, Rua Francisco das Necessidades, and finish at Estádio dos Coqueiros. BSV/VAB/AMP
