Jepchirchir, Beriso, and Jepkosgei on the streets of Valencia

In the women’s race, the battle for victory is set to be fought between the experienced Ethiopian Amane Beriso (winner in 2023 and current record holder on the Valencia course with a time of 2:14:58) and the Kenyans Peres Jepchirchir (2:16:16), who claimed gold in the women’s marathon at the World Athletics Championships Tokyo 25, and Joyciline Jepkosgei (2:16:24), who also know what it is like to win in Valencia, although in the latter’s case, it was in the half marathon.

On the other hand, in the men’s race, despite featuring big names such as 2023 winner Sisay Lemma (2:01:48), who are among the ten male athletes with times under 2:05 – a list that also includes Europeans Samuel Fitwi (2:04:56) and Amanal Petros (2:04:58) – once again the debut by newcomers to the distance in Valencia Ciudad del Running has stolen the limelight from the more experienced athletes in the run-up to the race. On a course and in a city that has proven to be very favourable for debutants, with some even achieving victory, names such as Kenyans Vincent Nyageo and Patrick Mosin, are attracting a lot of international attention, with hopes of seeing great results in these runners’ first attempt at 42,195 metres.

A second international group will do much to offer further competition, with top athletes from the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia and France, among others, which will also generate a lot of interest. The top international women competing also includes promising newcomers such as Sarah Chelangat and Lilian Kasait.

“Valencia is once again the destination for the most promising newcomers. It is clear that the victories by Kelvin Kiptum and Sebastian Sawe in previous years have helped to build this idea that our marathon is a great place to make your debut,” says Marc Roig, coach of the international elite runners at the Valencia Marathon.