Calma: Unveiling the Soul of Belo Horizonte, One Run at a Time
Calma started with one runner. In 2016, Bernardo Biagioni began running around Belo Horizonte, his hometown. He enjoyed seeing new parts of the city and wanted to share that feeling. In August 2017, he invited 'all the non-runners out there' to join him through Instagram. That post led to their first group run in February 2018 and the start of the Calma community.
Calma's idea is simple: use running to bring people together. The group encourages everyone to move, meet, and create as a community. The name 'Calma' means 'calm' in Portuguese, which fits their goal of finding peace and connection through running. Each run is a chance to see a new part of the city and imagine what it could be. Calma values creativity and community as much as running itself.
Calma grew quickly. Their first run in February 2018 had 17 people. The next week, 40 showed up. A month later, there were more than 100 runners. To help organize, a group of volunteers called the 'Climatcs' started planning the runs and events. This helps Calma stay focused on community, even as the group gets bigger.
Calma does not have a set meeting place. The group likes to explore different neighborhoods in Belo Horizonte, using about 100 different routes. Runs happen every Tuesday and Thursday, but there is often more than just running. Meetups can include talks, meditation, art, or live music, making each event unique.
Calma is open to everyone, just like in the first Instagram post. The group started by inviting 'non-runners' and still welcomes anyone who wants to join. To find out where the next run is, people can check Calma's social media and show up on Tuesday or Thursday.
Calma has created more than 100 running routes across Belo Horizonte. The group runs through all kinds of neighborhoods, from the busy city center to Mangabeiras and the area around Lagoa da Pampulha. Each run is a chance to see the city in a new way.
Belo Horizonte has some big running events. The most famous is the Volta Internacional da Pampulha, an 18-kilometer race around Pampulha Lagoon. The city also hosts the Belo Horizonte International Marathon, with full, half, and shorter races. Many Calma members take part in these events.