Nine national records and historic sporting achievements

The standout performance came from Amanal Petros, who not only claimed second place on the podium in Valencia but also set a new German national record with an outstanding 2:04:03. Norway’s Awet Kibrab delivered a remarkable debut over the distance, clocking 2:04:24 to break his country’s national record. Another excellent performance came from Japan’s Suguru Osako, who established a new Japanese national record of 2:04:55 after a superb race that earned him fourth place in Valencia.

In addition, the women’s field delivered six more national records for Belgium, Finland, Australia, Austria, Nepal and Chad. Among them, Belgian athlete Chloé Herbiet stood out, claiming a podium finish with her 2:20:38 — a performance that not only secured third place but also established a new Belgian national record.

Finland also celebrated a new national record thanks to Alisa Vainio’s 2:20:48. Jessica Stenson (2:21:24) set a new Australian record, improving the previous mark, which had also been achieved in Valencia. A similar story unfolded for Austria, where Julia Mayer lowered her own national record — also previously set in this marathon — to 2:26:09 last Sunday.

Other more modest times — but still national records in their respective countries — were achieved by Shrestha Santoshi for Nepal (2:40:23) and Bibiro Ali Taher for Chad (2:46:41), completing the nine national records set at the 2025 Valencia Marathon.

British athlete Alex Yee, Olympic triathlon champion, delivered another remarkable performance, clocking 2:06:38 in just his second marathon to finish in seventh place. This impressive time makes him the second-fastest Briton in history, surpassed only by Mo Farah.