Julio Mamute Crosses Great Wall of China Finish Line After Facing Extreme Physical Trial
Brazilian runner Julio Mamute crossed the finish line of the Great Wall of China Marathon on Oct. 25, completing what he called “the most grueling physical trial” of his journey. For a man who was once unable to take two steps on his own, finishing the race carried deep personal significance. “I run to save my life. I run to live,” Mamute told the South China Morning Post.
Unlike standard road races, the Chinese course required Mamute to traverse 4 kilometers of rugged stone trails and obstacles before tackling a 700-meter stretch of steep steps along the Great Wall. “And I don’t climb alone. I carry the weight of at least three adults. For me, every step is a mountain,” Mamute stated. During the eight-hour ordeal, he drew motivation from his late father, whose lifelong dream was to visit China before passing away in 2024. “If I could speak to him now, I would say: ‘Dad, we made it,’” Mamute said.
From Bedridden at 310 Kilograms to International Marathons
Completing the marathon marked a dramatic change from Mamute's health status years prior. At his heaviest, he weighed over 310 kg and remained confined to his bed, relying on a continuous positive airway pressure machine to sleep. A power outage that caused the device to fail left him suffocating on the verge of death. G1 reported that his weight gain began at age 11 despite no family history of obesity, accelerating when he started his own business at 15 and worked through the night. During Covid-19 lockdowns, he gained an extra 100 kg, pushing past 310 kg, according to Marca.
The turning point arrived on Nov. 13, 2023, when his first nephew was born prematurely at 11:30 p.m.—the exact time Mamute had been born 32 years earlier. A week later, when he was physically unable to step out of his car using a walking cane to deliver a gift, he signed up for an underwater exercise class. After various medical interventions failed, including medications like Ozempic, Saxenda, and Mounjaro alongside a gastric balloon that eventually popped, Mamute returned to swimming. Aquatic workouts reduced joint strain and helped him lose nearly 100 kg while curing his severe fatty liver condition.
Relapsing After Family Tragedies and Turning to Neuroscience
Mamute documented his recovery on YouTube and Instagram, gathering millions of followers. In 2024, the deaths of his father and a close uncle triggered an uncontrollable eating relapse, causing him to regain 30 kg. To escape that period, he relied on faith, family, and a charitable commitment that linked his progress to food donations, distributing over two tons of food across Brazil and abroad. He also studied neuroscience to understand how compulsive eating creates ingrained brain habits.
Brazilian Mamute’s inspiring journey from obesity to conquering Great Wall of China https://t.co/2cUv9oCMmZ
By January 2025, he began posting transformation videos that now attract tens of millions of monthly views. Though a viral clip captured passengers negotiating to avoid sitting next to him on a plane, he responded with humor and used his platform to help others, noting that his updates stopped a distressed young woman from taking her life. Prior to the Great Wall event, his 10-month running schedule included a 15.8 km run in São Paulo, a 10 km race at the Europe Marathon in Portugal, and competitive events in Argentina and Brazil.
Upcoming Races in Spain and Brazil Follow China Milestone
Following the Great Wall challenge, Mamute heads to Spain in November to compete in a race organized by the Barcelona Fire Department. He will then return to São Paulo for the São Silvestre street running event. His long-term objectives include dropping below 100 kg, undergoing surgery to remove excess skin, and traveling to Greece in November 2028 to run a full marathon from Marathon to Athens while filming a documentary about his transformation.
Frequently Asked Questions About Julio Mamute’s Marathon Journey
When did Julio Mamute complete the Great Wall of China Marathon?
He crossed the finish line on Oct. 25, finishing a course that included 4 km of rugged trails and 700 meters of steep stone steps.
What triggered Mamute’s decision to lose weight?
The turning point occurred on Nov. 13, 2023, with the birth of his nephew. A week later, unable to step out of his car with a walking cane, he registered for an aquatic exercise class.
How much weight has Mamute lost through swimming and running?
He once weighed over 310 kg at his heaviest and estimates that swimming accounted for nearly 100 kg of his total weight loss.
What are Mamute’s upcoming racing plans?
He is scheduled to participate in a Barcelona Fire Department race in November, followed by the São Silvestre event in São Paulo.
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