Valmir Nunes
Encyclopedia
Valmir Nunes is a Brazilian runner. A former world record holder, he currently holds South American and Brazilian Ultramarathon
records.
. In 1995 Nunes set the world record with a time of 6 hours, 18 minutes and 9 seconds in Winschoten
, Netherlands
. His record was not broken until 1998.
Nunes has also been successful in longer races. In 2001 he won the 246 kilometres (152.9 mi) Spartathlon
in Greece in a time of 23 hours, 18 minutes and 5 seconds. He holds the course record at the 135 miles (217.3 km) Badwater Ultramarathon
. In 2007 he was the first runner to finish the race in less than 24 hours, setting a course record of 22 hours, 51 minutes and 29 seconds. During the race, temperatures reached 114 °F (45.6 °C).
In October 2010 Nunes attempted to break the world record for a 24 hour treadmill race. Although he won the race by running 215.6 kilometres (134 mi), he was unable to break the world record of 257.8 kilometres (160.2 mi).
.
In 2010 he released a book about his experiences in ultrarunning.
Ultramarathon
An ultramarathon is any sporting event involving running longer than the traditional marathon length of .There are two types of ultramarathon events: those that cover a specified distance, and events that take place during specified time...
records.
Career
Nunes initially found success in the 100 kilometres (62.1 mi) distance race, winning the world championship in 1991. He also placed first in the U.S.A. National 100 Kilometer Championship, finishing before the first AmericanUnited States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. In 1995 Nunes set the world record with a time of 6 hours, 18 minutes and 9 seconds in Winschoten
Winschoten
Winschoten is a former municipality and city in the northeast of the Netherlands.Population : 18.497; area: 22,24 km2.The origin of the name of Winschoten is not known but it has received nicknames. One of these is Molenstad . It has also been known, in living memory, as Sodom...
, Netherlands
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
. His record was not broken until 1998.
Nunes has also been successful in longer races. In 2001 he won the 246 kilometres (152.9 mi) Spartathlon
Spartathlon
Spartathlon is a ultramarathon race held annually in Greece since 1983 between Athens and Sparta.-Origin:The Spartathlon aims to trace the footsteps of Pheidippides, an Athenian messenger sent to Sparta in 490 BC to seek help against the Persians in the Battle of Marathon...
in Greece in a time of 23 hours, 18 minutes and 5 seconds. He holds the course record at the 135 miles (217.3 km) Badwater Ultramarathon
Badwater Ultramarathon
The Badwater Ultramarathon describes itself as "the world's toughest foot race". It is a course starting at below sea level in the Badwater Basin, in California's Death Valley, and ending at an elevation of 8360 feet at Whitney Portal, the trailhead to Mount Whitney...
. In 2007 he was the first runner to finish the race in less than 24 hours, setting a course record of 22 hours, 51 minutes and 29 seconds. During the race, temperatures reached 114 °F (45.6 °C).
In October 2010 Nunes attempted to break the world record for a 24 hour treadmill race. Although he won the race by running 215.6 kilometres (134 mi), he was unable to break the world record of 257.8 kilometres (160.2 mi).
Coaching
Nunes also coaches several runners, who compete in marathons and ultramarathons. In 1998 Nunes encouraged his maid, Sirlene Pinho, to begin running competitively. She has since won a bronze medal in the marathon at the 2007 Pan American Games2007 Pan American Games
The 2007 Pan American Games, officially known as the XV Pan American Games, were a major continental multi-sport event that took place in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, from July 13 to July 29, 2007. A total of 5,633 athletes from 42 National Olympic Committees competed in 332 events in 34 sports and in...
.
In 2010 he released a book about his experiences in ultrarunning.