Running as a Team Sport: What the Cascais Half Marathon Unlocked for MB.ioneers

It started with a simple invitation, a few names on a registration form and group chat full of running jokes, pacing tips, and last-minute weather updates. But what happened last weekend at the Cascais Half-Marathon became much more than a race, it was proof that something powerful happens when MB.ioneers move together.

From One Bib Number to a Whole Movement

Who kicked off everything? João Correia.

Just over a year ago, João began signing up for races. What started as a personal goal quickly grew into something bigger. "Having people sign up with me makes me not want to let anyone down, starting with myself," he said. Whether it was an 8K or a full half marathon, he kept showing up and soon, so did others.

Jorge Varandas remembers it well: "João had a spare number and asked if I wanted to join. I got 'drop-shipped' into an 8K… and that's how it all began." That first run wasn't just a moment, it sparked focus, community, and quiet pride.

Peer Pressure, But the Good Kind

Across every story, one thing kept coming up: peer accountability.

"You don't want to be the person who quits when others are training and committed," said Santiago Clausse. João Silva echoed that: "Having that shared challenge, plus the momentum of everyone starting to run, made it feel natural. What started as 'let's try a 10K' quickly turned into a half marathon."

From gear chats to training rituals, this wasn't just preparation. It became motivation and momentum.

The Real Win? Progress

Finishing a half marathon is a milestone. But ask these runners what they're proud of, and their answers go deeper.

For João Correia, the answer is very clear: "Consistency. I used to be sedentary, now I'm seeing real results. That whole 'hard work pays off' thing? Turns out it's true."

Jorge found strength in showing up during a hard year. "I stayed focused through training and finished in a solid time. João pushed me to sign up, and Sina ran the whole race by my side. She kept me going when I needed it most."

For Sina Langjahr, it wasn't about chasing her own PR. "There's real joy in running alongside friends and helping them push a little further. That feeling can be just as rewarding as a personal best."

Running Together Changes Everything

Running is often seen as a solo sport. But in Cascais, it became a shared experience.

"You build trust fast when you've suffered through long runs together," Santiago shared. João Silva added: "We all started just trying a 10K. Now, we've crossed a half-marathon finish line and it feels like we've grown together."

And then there were the moments. Like João and Santiago pushing each other mid-race with the reminder: tiredness is a state of mind. Or Sina helping Jorge get the 2-hour mark. Or the now-iconic sight of CFO Pedro Salgueiro wearing a bin bag to stay dry and then smashing the course in 1h24m.

These are the memories that stick.

More Than a Race

The MB.ioneers who ran Cascais didn't just complete a half marathon. They built something together: resilience, joy and connection.

"Even in something as 'lonely' as running, doing it together makes adversity easier and leaves you smiling," Jorge said. "When someone is willing to set aside their own personal record just to lift you up… that creates a rare kind of joy."

This wasn't just a race. It was a reminder that some of the best things we build don't live in dashboards or slide decks, they live in shared effort, sore legs, and stories that last.

P.S. Yes, the matching Mercedes-Benz.io shirts were very much intentional, because building together sometimes looks like running together, in sync, all the way to the finish.