2024 Valencia Marathon Preview: A Stellar Line-Up of Elite Runners Set for an Epic Race
The 2024 Valencia Marathon Trinidad Alfonso promises to deliver a thrilling showdown on Sunday, December 1, with a star-studded elite field in both the men’s and women’s races. Among the notable names are Ethiopia’s Sisay Lemma, last year’s winner and Boston Marathon champion, and the legendary Kenenisa Bekele, a three-time Olympic gold medallist. On the women’s side, the competition will feature three athletes who have run under the 2:19 mark, including Megertu Alemu and Hiwot Gebrekidan. With the combination of record-breaking veterans and ambitious newcomers, Valencia is set to reaffirm its reputation as one of the world’s fastest marathons.
Men’s Elite Field Preview
The men’s race boasts an extraordinary lineup led by Sisay Lemma, the defending champion and one of the most consistent performers in global marathon running. Lemma, who clocked a personal best of 2:01:48 in Valencia last year, comes into the race with momentum, having won the Boston Marathon earlier this year in 2:06:17.
Challenging Lemma is none other than Kenenisa Bekele, who holds the fastest personal best in the field with 2:01:41, achieved in Berlin in 2019. Bekele, known for his dominance on the track and roads, is seeking redemption after finishing fourth in Valencia last year in 2:04:19 and narrowly missing victory in London earlier this year with a time of 2:04:15.
The Ethiopian contingent is further strengthened by Birhanu Legese, a two-time Tokyo Marathon winner with a PB of 2:02:48, Guye Adola, the 2017 Berlin runner-up with a 2:03:46 best, and Deressa Geleta, the Seville Marathon winner in 2:03:27 earlier this year.
Adding intrigue to the field are two highly anticipated marathon debuts. World half marathon champion Sebastian Kimaru Sawe of Kenya, who has consistently run sub-60 minutes in the half marathon, will test his endurance over the full 42.2 kilometers. Fellow Kenyan Daniel Mateiko, a world half marathon silver medallist, also transitions to the marathon after achieving sub-59 performances in Valencia.
Other noteworthy contenders include Tanzania’s Alphonce Simbu, a world and Olympic top-five finisher, and Norway’s Sondre Moen, who holds his nation’s marathon record of 2:05:48. Additionally, athletes like Abraham Tadesse of Switzerland, Israel’s Maru Teferi, and Italy’s Iliass Aouani and Pietro Riva add depth to the field.
Women’s Elite Field Preview
The women’s race features a high-caliber lineup highlighted by three Ethiopian stars who have broken the 2:19 barrier. Leading the charge is Megertu Alemu, who boasts a stellar resume, including a third-place finish in Chicago (2:17:09) and back-to-back top-three finishes in London.
Hiwot Gebrekidan, the 2023 Valencia Marathon third-place finisher, will look to improve upon her 2:17:59 performance last year. Tiruye Mesfin, another Ethiopian standout, has shown her prowess with a sixth-place finish in Valencia (2:18:47) in 2022 and a runner-up performance in Hamburg this year.
Uganda’s Stella Chesang, the national record holder with 2:20:23, adds international flair to the field, while Sara Hall of the USA, known for her tenacity and versatility, brings valuable experience. Hall, a runner-up in the 2020 London Marathon, has consistently been among the top American marathoners.
Notably absent from the field is Amane Beriso, the reigning world champion and 2022 Valencia winner, who withdrew from the race. Her absence opens the door for emerging contenders and adds unpredictability to the competition.
With an exciting blend of proven champions and rising stars, the 2024 Valencia Marathon is set to deliver another record-breaking spectacle.
