The Spanish city hosts a star-studded field where athletes hope to run extremely fast on the traditional speedway
Some of the world’s greatest marathon runners will descend on Valencia again on Sunday (December 1), just two months after devastating floods devastated the region.
Given the severity of the damage in Valencia, with two months of rain falling on as many days in late October, there was uncertainty as to whether the event would even take place.
The organizers decided that the Valencia Marathon will be held at the end, and a commemoration will take place before the start of the elite race.
Valencia Marathon (River)
“It will be an embrace for this wounded city and a promise of healing, a moment when sport becomes hope and help for those who need it most,” organizers said.
“This year, the record we want to break is a record of solidarity, a marathon record that will remind each of us of the power of being together. The enormous power of the collective as a society, and sport as a means of reconstruction and recovery.
“We want the Valencia Marathon, your race, to be a symbol of support for every affected family, for every street and every corner of Valencia that is under reconstruction.”
Street-goers can look forward to countless stargazing on the streets of the Spanish city.
Kenenisa Bekele (LM Events)
The stacked men’s field is led by Kenenisa Bekele and Sisai Lemma.
Bekele, a three-time Olympian and five-time world running champion, is the third-fastest marathon runner in history, having clocked a personal best of 2:01:41 five years ago in Berlin.
The 42-year-old also made history at last year’s Valencia Marathon when he became the first athlete over 40 to run a sub-2:05 marathon, clocking 2:04:19.
Bekele lowered that mark by four seconds at this year’s London Marathon before finishing 39th for Ethiopia at the Paris Olympic Marathon.
On paper, Lemma, the reigning champions of Valencia, are the ones to beat once again.
Sisay Lemma (Getty)
Last year, the 33-year-old clocked 2:01:48 in his victory to finish fourth on the all-time list, more than 26.2 miles behind Bekele, Eliud Kipchoge and the late Kelvin Kiptum.
Lemma also secured the Boston Marathon crown back in March and is a two-time marathon champion after winning in London three years ago.
The athlete most likely to challenge Lemma is Sebastian Soi, the half-marathon world champion making his Valencia debut over 26.2 miles.
Sebastian Save (Getty)
The Kenyan’s first ever marathon comes with a lot of anticipation and anticipation, given that the 28-year-old’s personal best for the half marathon is 58:05, which he set in Copenhagen in September.
Two-time Tokyo Marathon champion Birhanu Legese and 2021 Berlin Marathon winner Gaye Adola will also be watching.
The British challenge is led by Ross Braden, who clocked 2:14:32 in London two years ago and has clocked 2:19:49 this season.
Expect a heated battle in the women’s field, with Ethiopia’s Megertu Alemu standing out after compatriot Amane Beriso withdrew through injury.
Megertu Alemu (Getty)
Alemu, who has finished second and third respectively in the last two years at the London Marathon, has a best time of 2:16:34, which is his 14th on the all-time list.
You should also be aware of Hivot Gebrekidan and Tiruye Mesfin who are the second and third fastest athletes in the women’s field with 2:17:59 and 2:18:47 respectively.
Sarah Hall flies the USA flag and heads to Valencia after finishing 5th and 15th at the US Olympic Marathon Trials and Boston.
Ireland’s Fionnuala McCormack is capping off an impressive season in the Spanish city, where the 40-year-old finished 28th in the Olympic marathon in her fourth Games in Paris.
Alice Braham (athlete)
Another fascinating story is that of Alice Braham, who is aiming to approach her 2008 personal best of 2:35:20.
A 48-year-old woman has become the oldest Briton to run a marathon under 2:40 in Berlin, clocking an incredible 2:39:42 on the streets of the German capital.
Braham recently spoke exclusively with AWsharing how she got into running, overcoming challenges and her best advice for others over 26.2 miles.
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