Two stories attract attention in this edition: that of Cinthia Griner, 64 years old, and that of Mariana Ramos Rabha, 41 years old. Cinthia, a retired physical education teacher and journalist, returns to competition after battling cancer in 2025, when a third of her right lung was removed. She will participate in the 3.5K Challenge (3.5 kilometers) and says she considers the competition as a personal challenge:
— I am already recovered and back at sea, the place where I feel happiest. Normally, I do the 1000m (1km), because I like speed. But since I’m still recovering, I thought it best not to push my luck. By participating in this longer race, I intend to finish it, and not necessarily come out on top. The competition will be with myself. Just participating is a victory.
Mariana, institutional manager in Águas do Rio, started swimming only six months ago and will make her debut in biathlon, a combination of 2.5 km swimming and 1 km running. She sees her participation in Rei e Rainha as a way to test her limits, overcome her fears and celebrate the connection with her work.
— I had never done swimming in my life, I only knew how to swim doggy style. With each development, I feel safer, more motivated and less anxious, and this is reflected in my personal and professional life — she reports.
The festival will offer competitions of different levels, including the return of the Super 3, a 500-meter relay for three athletes in men’s, women’s and mixed categories, as well as competitions for disabled people, with the right to a reduction and support. On Saturday there will be swimming, running and children’s competitions, while on Sunday it will be time for the Sprint (1K), the Classic (2K) and the Challenge (3.5K).
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