The Caiçara em Chamonix Project

The project Um Caiçara em Chamonix was born with a clear purpose: to discover and support sports talents within the Caiçara communities of Paraty, transforming lives through sports. Inspired by the collaboration between the Paraty Brazil by UTMB organization and the local community during trail preparation, the project aims to be a catalyst for future trail running champions who might never have had the opportunity to shine without proper support.

A Caiçara is a traditional resident of Brazil’s southeastern coastal regions, especially in the coastal communities of São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, preserving a rich culture linked to fishing, agriculture, and the environment.

Every year, six Caiçaras—three men and three women—are selected to participate in Paraty Brazil by UTMB, receiving full support in their athletic journeys. This includes training, equipment, and technical support, providing them with ideal conditions to perform at their best in the races.

The project's main highlight is the unique opportunity for the top-performing Caiçara: an all-expenses-paid trip to compete in the prestigious UTMB in Chamonix, France—one of the largest mountain races in the world.

Since its inception, Um Caiçara em Chamonix has revealed incredible athletes. In 2023, Adenilson Ribeiro stood out and represented Paraty in Chamonix. In 2024, the winners were Valdecir and Geisa, the first to earn this spot in a surprise outcome, with the top man and woman awarded the chance to run in the Alps' mountains.

The project reinforces the belief that sports can transform lives, offering young Caiçaras the opportunity to realize dreams, overcome challenges, and bring Paraty's name to the global stage of trail running.

Um Caiçara em Chamonix is not just about competing; it’s about inspiring. It’s a project that aims to create role models for the entire community, showing that with dedication and support, sports can open doors that once seemed impossible. Each year, new talents emerge, and new stories of overcoming challenges are written.

Through this project, Paraty and its Caiçaras show Brazil and the world that the spirit of trail running goes far beyond the trails—it’s in every life that is touched, transformed, and elevated to new heights.