Interview Relay

Interview Relay 2nd Run: Stories of “Connections Between People” Born Through the Tokyo Marathon

This time, we introduce a story of Gustavo who started a new chapter in the friendship with his childhood friend, thanks to the marathon. 

A Reply that He Thought was a Joke “If You Get Selected, I’m Going with You.”

My story with the marathon is, above all, a story of friendship.

I grew up in Londrina, in southern Brazil, where I formed a childhood friendship with Heitor. Over time, we saw and spoke to each other only occasionally, but the friendship remained — quiet, steady, waiting to be rediscovered. 

As an adult, I discovered running. I was hoping to one day complete a half marathon — something that felt almost impossible for someone who could barely run 10 km. In 2020, after I joined a local running group, I steadily evolved, completed my first half marathon, and with it gained the courage to believe that maybe I could finish a full marathon.

That was when I heard about the Abbott World Marathon Majors (AbbottWMM). With no expectations, I entered the BMW Berlin Marathon lottery. One day, while Heitor was visiting our hometown on vacation, I told him about my entry, and he immediately said: 

“If you get selected, I’m going with you.” 

I thought he was joking, but he wasn’t.

Months later, when I received the news that I had been selected, I messaged him. His answer came instantly:

“We’re going together.”

And so we went. It was my first international trip ever, and for both of us, it became a reconnection — a revival of a friendship that distance had never truly erased. On race day, Heitor followed the entire marathon from the finish line, got emotional with the atmosphere, and said:

“I’m going to run a marathon, too.”

Truly,Bonds Never Break.

Back in Brazil, we both registered for the Bank of America Chicago Marathon. This time, Heitor completed his first marathon. Now has two AbbottWMM medals — just like me.

“Let us complete all the AbbottWMM.”

We made a pact. And we even created a playful team name: “The Stache Brothers,” because of the mustaches we always wear on race days.

But there’s something even more meaningful in this journey. Heitor has Japanese heritage; his maternal grandparents were born in Japan. Visiting Japan has always been a dream for him. Running the Tokyo Marathon would be much more than a race — it would be a connection to his roots.

For me, the Tokyo Marathon represents more than completing another Major. It’s the chance to live another chapter of a friendship brought back to life by running. An opportunity to thank a friend who stood by me on my first international trip, who believed in my dream even before I fully did, and who helped turn this journey into something far greater than a finishing time.

I would like to share that running is more than reaching a finish line. Just like friendship, it is about the journey — the people who walk or run beside us, even when life takes different paths. Sharing these experiences with Heitor made me realize that the marathon is not only about physical endurance, but also about trust, gratitude, and growing together.

The Tokyo Marathon is a place where these connections can be celebrated, reminding us that distance and time never truly break meaningful bonds when there is a shared purpose.