- The Valencia Marathon 2024 will be held on Sunday, December 1.
- Daniel Mateiko and Sabastian Sawe head to Valencia with the hopes of replicating the late Kelvin Kiptum’s 2022 display.
- Kenenisa Bekele and Sisay Lemma are the favorites to win the men’s title.
Kenyan road race runners Daniel Mateiko and Sebastian Sawe are among thousands of road race runners who will converge in Spain on December 1 to compete in the eagerly awaited Valencia Marathon 2024.
The duo will be seeking to replicate the impressive performance that their late compatriot Kelvin Kiptum posted in the 2022 Valencia edition where he ran his first full marathon in style, clinching the title in 2:01:53 – the fourth fastest time in history then.
After his incredible performance in Valencia, the athlete who died earlier this year in a road accident, went on to win the London Marathon title before setting the current world record of 2:00:35 at the 2023 Chicago Marathon.
Although it would be difficult for Sawe and Mateiko to match Kiptum’s performances, they are capable of escaping with the coveted title.
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Sawe, who has won almost all the road races that he has featured in this year, heads to Spain with a half marathon lifetime best of 58:05.
On the other hand, Mateiko set his personal best of 58:17 during the 2024 Valencia Half Marathon which was held on October 27.
The Sisay Lemma effect at Valencia Marathon 2024
The Kenyan stars are expected to face stiff competition from the Ethiopian contingent led by former Berlin Marathon winner Kenenisa Bekele and reigning Boston Marathon champion Sisay Lemma.
The experienced Lemma travels to Valencia as the main favorite since he set the current course record of 2:01:48 at the 2023 edition.
Other athletes who have been confirmed for the race include Alphonce Simbu (Tanzania), Edward Cheserek (Kenya), Birhanu Legese (Ethiopia), Guye Adola (Ethiopia) and Hillary Kipkoech (Kenya).
These elite runners will have to be at their absolute best in order to smash Kiptum’s world record.
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Amane Beriso’s withdrawal leaves the field open for compatriots
In the women’s category, the battle for the top prize will be among the Ethiopians trio of Megertu Alemu, Tiruye Mesfin and Hiwot Gebrekidan.
Amane Beriso, who set the course record of 2:14:58 two years ago, has pulled out of the race after suffering an injury.
With Beriso’s absence, Alemu becomes the mostly likely athlete to triumph this year based on her personal best of 2:16:34, which is the fastest in their entire field.
Meanwhile, Kenya’s hope in the ladies category lies on Evaline Chirchir, who travels to Valencia with a personal best of 2:22:11.
Although it is not impossible, these speedsters are not likely to lower the existing world record of 2:09:56 (yet to be ratified) that was set by Kenya’s Ruth Chepngetich in Chicago several weeks ago.
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