Fernando Toldi (BRA) and Mikelle Coelho (BRA) took wins at Challenge Fortaleza in 3:52:58 and 4:36:38, respectively, overcoming tough conditions with strong winds and rising heat.

In the men’s race, Diogo Andrade Villarinho (BRA) was first out of the water, opening a 1:30 lead over the chasing group, which included local favourite Fernando Toldi (BRA), Alexandre Nobre (POR) and Andrés Cendán Llorens (ESP).
Villarinho held his lead through the 90km coastal bike course and entered T2 with a two-minute advantage. Toldi was second into transition, just seconds ahead of Nobre, while Lukas Andrade Cabral (BRA) was fourth, a few minutes behind. Llorens followed three minutes later.
The race changed quickly on the run as temperatures rose. Toldi caught Villarinho in the opening kilometres to take the lead. By 14km, he had built a two-minute gap over Nobre in second. Llorens moved into third, while Villarinho began to lose ground in the heat. Toldi went for the win in 3:52:58, with Nobre finishing second in 3:57:54. Villarinho recovered in the final stages to secure third in 4:02:26 after strong final kilometres.

“It was a great race, and I thought it would be a bit warmer in the morning, but I really enjoyed these conditions,” said Toldi. “I am happy with my first win here in Fortaleza. There were some strong crosswinds on the bike, but I gave everything I had to get the win despite the heat on the run course.”

In the women’s race, Spain’s Ana Maria Santiso Prado (ESP) led out of the water, with a four-minute advantage over Mikelle Coelho (BRA) in second and an eight-minute lead over Elizabeth Nyitray (USA).
Coelho worked to close the gap on the 90km bike course and came into T2 with almost a 10-minute lead over Prado. On the first run lap, Coelho continued to push while Prado reduced the deficit to seven minutes.
Coelho held on to take the win in 4:36:38, with Prado finishing second in 4:42:05. Nyitray completed the podium in 5:16:54.

“The day was incredibly hot and hard, but I am very happy with my first-ever professional victory,” said Coelho.

Thousands of athletes took on the courses at Challenge Fortaleza this weekend. The event brought together professional and age-group athletes for racing along Fortaleza’s coast, with challenging conditions adding to the test on race day. The event also formed part of the city’s 300th anniversary celebrations.

For full results, visit https://resultados.runking.com.br/chronomax/challenge-fortaleza-2026?modality=&modalityStart=ELITE&genderStart=F
For more information, visit https://www.challenge-brazil.com/fortaleza/