In addition to his 2006 New York win, Gomes dos Santos boasts a number of running accomplishments including several wins in the 5000 meters and 10,000 meters at the Brazilian Championships, sixth in the LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon in 2004, tenth in the IAAF World Marathon Championships in 2005, and first in the Sao Silvestre Road Race on New Year’s Eve in 2005 (over 2006 Boston and Chicago Marathon champion Robert Cheruiyot).

Mensracing caught up with Gomes dos Santos six weeks after his win in New York. He was happy to share his feelings about his win, his future running plans, and how he has been spending his time since returning to Brazil.

MensRacing.com: The press described your win as a surprise. Yet the win did not surprise you. Describe how you mentally prepared yourself for a win in New York.
Marilson Gomes dos Santos: My victory did not surprise me because I knew about my physical condition and how well I had prepared myself for the race. I kept myself focused, because I knew it was going to be a very hard race and I did not want to let that shake me my confidence.

MR: You startled several of the favorites in the ING New York City Marathon 2006. How did that feel?
MG: I have competed in five marathons and the ING New York City Marathon was my first victory. It felt very, very good to be the winner.

MR: Several professional runners travel the globe to train in terrains and climates comparable to that of the main race that they are preparing for. I hear that you incorporated a lot of hills in your training for New York. But how did you prepare yourself for the drastic difference in the weather?
MG: I knew I had prepared well for the hills. My only fear was the weather, because in Brazil, it was very hot. I knew that it was going to be much colder in New York. As it turned out, I did not have any problems with the weather, maybe because I protected myself with gloves and a hat that in Brazil I don't have [any reason] to use.

MR: You also excel at the 5000 meters and 10,000 meters on the track. I read that you are now focusing your attention on these events for the 2007 Pan American Games. Do you have any track and field goals beyond the Pan Am Games?
MG: On the track my goal in 2006 was to make the qualifying time to participate in the 2007 Pan American Games. The PanAm Games is the only thing I am focusing on in track right now. At the last PanAm Games in Santo Domingo, I was second in the 10,000 meters and third on the 5000 meters; this time I want to win both events.

MR: You were recruited to run professionally at the young age of 15. When you first began concentrating on running, did you see yourself competing on the world stage? Tell me a bit about how your career progressed.
MG: I started running as a hobby, without the slightest intention to take it serious, but things began evolving and the results also. At the beginning I didn’t enjoy running like I do today, but as I am of a humble family, I saw running as a chance to improve my family lifestyle. Because of this, I decided to go out in front and I became a top-level athlete, trying always to perform at my best in each event.

MR: How popular is distance running to the general public in Brazil? Do people recognize you on the streets?
MG: Wherever I go in Brazil, there is always someone that recognizes me on the streets and asks for my autograph. In Brazil, the sport is growing in popularity, and more and more people are starting to follow the news of our sport. As much as I did not imagine that my victory in New York would have a significant effect here in Brazil, in fact, I have participated in many television programs, was awarded a medal of honor by the President of Brazil [Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva], and I was chosen by some Brazilian magazines as the Sportsman of the Year. This makes me believe that the sport of running is indeed very popular here.

MR: How long do you plan to rest before gearing up for training on the track? What are you doing during this rest time? Spending time with your wife? Celebrating your win in New York?
MG: To be honest, I have already returned to my training program, obviously [with attention toward] recovery, but at the beginning of the year my training will start to intensify in order to work toward the goals I have set. During the time I was resting, right after I returned from New York, I [did] the things that I can't do while I'm training like spending time with my family, going to the beach, going on small trips, and participating in parties with the company of my wife. After all, when I am preparing for a race, my wife and I look forward to the period when we can be together more.

MR: What are the top factors that you attribute your success in New York to?
MG: In my opinion, I had three factors: The first one was the physical part; I was very well trained. Second, I was mentally and emotionally relaxed; I was very tranquil. And third, it definitely was my day! Everything that I did to prepare, and all the sacrifices I made, all came together on that day.

MR: How did you race alone so successfully without the aid of pacers?
MG: Here in Brazil, I don't usually have training partners, and that is why when a similar situation presented itself in New York, it felt familiar and I was not at all concerned. Here in Geralmenta, Brazil, I do not have company to train with; this factor [has favored me in many races].

MR: Your wife runs as well, right?
MG: Yes, she does. Often I train at the same time as my wife, but she is an 800-meter and 1500-meter specialist, so our work is very different. She has achieved good results in her own right – this year she was the 800-meter and 1500-meter champion of Brazil and South America. Back in 2002, she won the bronze medal in the 800 meters at the IAAF World Junior Track and Field Championships in Jamaica.

MR: Will you run in the ING New York City Marathon in 2007?
MG: I will do my best to participate in ING New York City Marathon again. I was warmly welcomed by the organizers and the people of New York. I enjoyed the experience a lot. Of course I would like to defend my title!

Interview conducted December 18, 2006, and posted January 3, 2007.