1.
GV Runners warming up and preparing for start. (4 shots).
0.13

2.
GV Ceremonial guards. (2 shots)
0.18

3.
CU Man amid crowd.
0.19

4.
GV Race begins and runners away. (2 shots)
0.30

5.
GV Tickertape dropped from above.
0.32

6.
GV Official cars and runners through streets. (3 shots)
0.50

7.
SV Winner towards camera, breasts tape and into crowd.
0.58

8.
SV Second man followed by others.
1.05

9.
LV AND SV's Winners of dais. (3 shots)
1.22



Initials VS 1.32 VS 1.41


SPORT: ATHLETICS

Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: Rafael Perez, a 27-year-old runner from Costa Rica, scored an unexpected win in the early hours of New Year's Day, when he led a field of international athletes to the winning line in this year's round-the-houses race in Sao Paulo, Brazil.

The year's was the fiftieth Sao Paulo race, which is run through the streets of the city over a distance of five-and-a-half miles (8,900 metres).

Forcing himself into the lead after little more than a mile, Perez held off the challenge of 215 other runners to win. He crossed the finishing line in 23 minutes, 58 secs, winning by only three seconds from Mexican Rafael Palomares, who had previously won the race in 1971.

Sixty-five runners from other countries and 150 from Brazil set off for the race as the city clocks struck midnight, accompanied by the cheers of thousands and a storm of tickertape. For this is traditionally more than a road race for athletes - it is also Sao Paulo's way of ushering in the New Year.