Agnes Ngetich sets the year’s best time

Agnes Jebet Ngetich achieved the best time of the year and the third-fastest performance in history, clocking an impressive 1:03:08.

In the men’s race, the winner was Yomif Kejelcha with 58:02.

Ngetich ran much of the race at a pace to break the World Record set right here in Valencia by Letesenbet Gidey (1:02:52) in 2021. However, despite her excellent form, the Kenyan had to battle strong headwinds in the final kilometers and ultimately fell short, though she still achieved a spectacular result. Fotyen Tesfay finished second in the women’s category with 1:05:10, and Veronica Loleo came third with 1:05:46.

In the men’s race, Yomif Kejelcha was also on pace to improve on his 2024 personal best (57:30) — the current ratified World Record — but weather conditions took their toll, and he crossed the finish line in 58:02. Rodrigue Kwizera finished second with 58:38, followed by Brian Kibor in third with 58:39.

The wind didn’t seem to bother Sweden’s Andreas Almgren, who broke the continental record, setting 58:41 as the new European Record.

Carlos Mayo was the first Spaniard, clocking 1:00:46, well off his own Spanish record (59:39), as he is currently preparing for the Valencia Marathon on December 7. In the women’s race, Carla Gallardo took the win with an excellent time of 1:09:14.

The Spanish podium was completed by Said Mechaal (1:00:48) and Nassim Hassaous (1:00:55), finishing second and third respectively; and in the women’s race by Meritxell Soler (1:09:46) and Alicia Berzosa (1:10:37).