Kwizera Breaks Spanish Record as Chepkirui Wins Thrilling Valencia Half Marathon

Rodrigue Kwizera produced a Spanish record of 58:03, while Kenya’s Sheila Chepkirui held off Diana Wanza by just one second to win the women’s race at the 2026 Valencia Half Marathon Trinidad Alfonso Zurich on Sunday, October 25. Laura Luengo added another national record with 1:08:28, completing a memorable morning for Spanish distance running. Chepkirui’s winning time of 1:03:51 was the fastest women’s performance of the year.

Kwizera makes his move in the closing kilometres

Two pacemakers established a demanding tempo from the start of the men’s race, with nine runners forming the leading group during the opening half-hour. By 15 kilometres, the contest had narrowed to five: Kwizera, Thierry Ndikumwenayo, Victor Kipruto, Tadese Worku and Owen Kapkama. The sustained pressure had turned the race into a battle between a small group of contenders approaching the decisive stages.

Kwizera broke the race open at approximately 19 kilometres, pulling clear to complete the final stretch alone. His winning time of 58:03 left training partner Ndikumwenayo six seconds behind in 58:09, with Kipruto taking third in 58:12.

The performance cut 1 minute 36 seconds from Carlos Mayo’s previous Spanish record of 59:39. Kwizera also ran faster than Andreas Almgren’s European record of 58:06, although his mark cannot count as a continental record because his international transfer from Burundi to Spain has not yet been completed by World Athletics.

Worku finished fourth in 58:33 and Kapkama fifth in 58:42, giving the race five finishers under 59 minutes. Jemal Yimer followed in sixth with 59:01.

Chepkirui withstands Wanza’s late comeback

The women’s race developed into an absorbing tactical contest. Pacemakers guided the leaders through the opening 10 kilometres, with Chepkirui, Wanza, Daisilah Jerono, Senayet Getachew and Mizan Alem emerging as the principal contenders.

Around half an hour into the race, another runner providing pacing increased the tempo. Only Chepkirui, Wanza and Jerono stayed with the acceleration, while Getachew and Alem lost contact. That change established the three women who would eventually fill the podium.

Chepkirui attacked inside the final kilometre and initially appeared to have made the winning move. Wanza responded, however, closing the gap and threatening to overturn the result in the final metres. Chepkirui held on under pressure, crossing in 1:03:51 ahead of Wanza’s 1:03:52. Jerono secured third in 1:04:11, completing a Kenyan podium sweep.

Alem placed fourth in 1:04:54, followed by Getachew in 1:04:57 and Caroline Gitonga in 1:04:59. Six women broke 65 minutes, underlining the strength of the field.

Luengo adds another Spanish record

Behind the leading international runners, Luengo delivered a strong finish to place 20th in 1:08:28, improving Carla Gallardo’s Spanish record by two seconds. Meritxell Soler had led the Spanish challenge earlier in the race, but Luengo’s closing effort carried her to the national landmark. Soler and Irene Sánchez-Escribano both finished in 1:08:47.

Leading men’s results

Leading women’s results

SEE FULL RESULTS HERE.