MOST people spend the morning after a night of heavy drinking curled up in bed, nursing a headache and regretting their choices. But for one Brazilian man, recovery looked a little different—8 kilometers different, to be exact.
Isaque dos Santos Pinho turned what should have been a sluggish, regret-filled morning into a viral internet moment when he randomly and unintentionally joined a road race—still drunk, and rocking only flip-flops on his feet.
The unusual incident took place in the quiet Brazilian town of Garrafão do Norte during a local footrace. Pinho, still feeling the effects of the night before, reportedly wandered into the area just as runners were lining up to begin.
What a Way to Wake Up
Why did he do it? Your guess is as good as ours. Maybe he thought it was a neighborhood celebration. Maybe he mistook it for a zombie chase. Whatever the reason, he didn’t hesitate—he just joined in.
Rather than spectate or stagger home for a much-needed nap, the 31-year-old did the unthinkable: he merged into the pack and ran alongside the properly dressed and well-prepared runners.
Clad in everyday clothes and flip-flops, Pinho impressively completed the full 8KM, staying in stride with participants who had trained for weeks—or at the very least, remembered to sign up for the race. He didn’t register, didn’t stretch, and had zero intention of running that day.
The race took place on July 27, and to the amazement of onlookers, Pinho powered through the course in makeshift gear, driven entirely by either sheer willpower, leftover adrenaline, or a determination to sweat the booze out of his system.
“I had been drinking, and when I saw that crowd, I thought: I’m going to run to get over my hangover,” he told the reporters, based on the report made by Vice.
Even so, he made it to the finish line. The medal may not have been intended for him, but he walked away with it anyway—along with a story and bragging rights that outshined any official race placement.
A Race That Changed Everything
In just a matter of days, footage of Pinho’s unexpected run spread like wildfire online. He quickly earned the nickname “Isaque the Runner,” as the bizarre yet heartwarming incident caught the attention of news outlets throughout Brazil.
However, what made the story truly powerful was the man behind the moment. Born in Capitão Poço and raised by a single mother, Pinho grew up in hardship, battling poverty and eventually falling into alcoholism. His struggles led him to homelessness in Garrafão do Norte.
Then came the race that changed everything. After his spontaneous run, locals rallied around him—donating running shoes, sports gear, and athletic clothing. Even professional athletes reached out, inviting him to train alongside them.
The local government stepped in as well, offering him entries to upcoming races. Meanwhile, community organizers found him a place to stay and began fundraising efforts to build him a permanent home.
“I stopped drinking because I ran that race. I changed my life, and I want to change it even more. I’m getting a lot of advice, and I’ll never give up,” he said.
These days, locals often see him out training—this time in real running shoes instead of flip-flops.
What began as a hungover whim has led to more than just a finish-line medal; it’s given him a fresh start. Most hangovers wear off by the end of the day, but his may have led to a lasting transformation.
So the next time you wake up groggy and convinced your day is a total write-off, just think of this: somewhere in Brazil, a guy once ran 8 kilometers in flip-flops—still half-drunk from the night before.
And he made it to the end. If he could pull that off, you can probably survive your 9:00 a.m. meeting. Or at the very least, make it to the nearest coffee machine.
