In an inspiring blend of sport and social awareness, the Maio Amarelo 2025 Awareness Race brought thousands of participants to the Parque Ecológico do Tietê, in São Paulo, this weekend. Organized as part of the global Yellow May movement, the event aimed to promote traffic safety culture through running, walking, and inclusive sporting activities.
The initiative brought together athletes, families, traffic agents, NGOs, and educators, creating a festive and educational atmosphere for people of all ages.
What Is Maio Amarelo?
“Maio Amarelo” is a global movement launched in Brazil in 2014, focused on raising awareness about traffic accident prevention and responsible behavior on the roads. Supported by government institutions and private organizations, the initiative takes place every May — symbolized by the yellow ribbon, which represents attention and life.
This year’s slogan:
“No Trânsito, Escolha a Vida” (In Traffic, Choose Life)
Sports for a Safer Society
The Corrida Maio Amarelo 2025 featured:
- 5km and 10km races, with professional and amateur runners
- 3km family walk, accessible for all ages and abilities
- Inclusive mobility category, with wheelchair participants and guides
- Interactive stations promoting safe pedestrian habits, cycling rules, and first-aid tips
Participants received yellow T-shirts, medals, and educational kits with reflective stickers and road safety guides.
Ana Carolina Monteiro, a traffic educator and marathon runner who participated in the 10km race, shared:
“Combining running with awareness is brilliant. Everyone here left more alert, more informed — and with endorphins flowing!”
Institutional Support and Community Impact
The event was supported by:
- São Paulo’s Department of Transport (DETRAN-SP)
- Municipal Guard and Civil Defense
- NGOs like Vida no Trânsito and Amigos da Estrada
Several officials and influencers gave short talks before the race, reinforcing the need for:
- Empathy behind the wheel
- Reducing distracted driving (especially related to smartphones)
- Better infrastructure for pedestrians and cyclists
Over 4,500 people registered, with proceeds going to community road safety education in São Paulo’s peripheral schools.
Education in Motion
Alongside the races, a “Safety Village” was set up in the park, including:
- A mini traffic track for kids to learn street signs
- Simulators demonstrating the dangers of drunk driving
- Booths offering eye exams and bike safety checks
- Talks from survivors of traffic accidents sharing their stories
This holistic approach turned the event into more than a run — it became a mobile classroom.
Athletes Joining the Cause
Several professional athletes and local sports personalities took part, including:
- Marílson Gomes dos Santos, two-time NYC Marathon winner, who opened the 10km
- Members of São Paulo’s para-athletic team
- Local influencers from the running and cycling community
Their presence helped amplify the event’s message online, reaching over 2 million social media users in 48 hours under hashtags like #MaioAmarelo2025 and #CorridaConsciente.
Conclusion: Running Toward a Safer Future
The Maio Amarelo Race 2025 was more than a sporting event — it was a social statement in motion. In a country where traffic accidents remain a major public health issue, uniting physical activity with education proved to be a powerful formula.
Through initiatives like this, Brazil takes meaningful steps toward safer streets — one stride, one story, and one community at a time.