The 2024 Maratón Valencia Trinidad Alfonso Zurich is gearing up for a historic day on December 1st. As one of the fastest marathons in the world, the event has confirmed the participation of legendary figures and emerging talents in both its men’s and women’s elite categories. With names like Sisay Lemma, Kenenisa Bekele, and Amane Beriso, Valencia once again positions itself as the global epicenter of long-distance running.
Below, we highlight the main contenders and the expectations for an event that promises to be unforgettable.
Men: Stellar Comebacks and World-Class Athletes
In the men’s category, all eyes will be on the return of Sisay Lemma, current circuit record holder with 2:01:48 achieved in 2023, and Kenenisa Bekele, a three-time Olympic champion with an impressive personal best of 2:01:41. Both athletes will aim to surpass their own records on a circuit renowned for its speed.
Promising Debutants
Kenyan Hillary Kipkoech, who paced Lemma in 2023 and boasts an impressive half marathon time of 59:22, will make his debut at the full marathon distance. Joining him are Ethiopian Sebastian Sawe, the reigning half marathon world champion, and Daniel Mateiko, who has already shone in Valencia with a 58:17 half marathon, promising a fierce competition.
Additionally, the men’s list features standout names such as:
- Birhanu Legese (ETH) – 2:02:48
- Guye Adola (ETH) – 2:03:46
- Tadesse Abraham (SUI) – 2:05:01
- Héctor Garibay (BOL) – 2:07:44
This mix of experience and youth guarantees an exciting race with record-breaking potential.
Men’s Elite list
| BIB | BIB NAME | NAME | COUNTRY | PB |
| 2 | BEKELE | Kenenisa Bekele | ETH | 2h01:41 |
| 1 | LEMMA | Sisay Lemma | ETH | 2h01:48 |
| 3 | LEGESE | Birhanu Legese | ETH | 2h02:48 |
| 4 | GELETA | Deresa Geleta | ETH | 2h03:27 |
| 5 | ADOLA | Guye Adola | ETH | 2h03:46 |
| 6 | AYALE | Gashau Ayale | ISR | 2h04:53 |
| 7 | T ABRAHAM | Tadesse Abraham | SUI | 2h05:01 |
| 9 | SIMBU | Alphonce Simbu | TAN | 2h05:39 |
| 20 | MOEN | Sondre Moen | NOR | 2h05:48 |
| 35 | FITWI | Samwel Fitwi | GER | 2h06:27 |
| 8 | BELIHU | Andamlak Belihu | ETH | 2h06:40 |
| 21 | TEFERI | Maru Teferi | ISR | 2h06:43 |
| 23 | DAVLYATOV | Shokhrukh Davlyatov | UZB | 2h07:02 |
| 24 | RINGER | Richard Ringer | GER | 2h07:05 |
| 25 | KBROM | Zerei Kbrom | NOR | 2h07:10 |
| 26 | AOUANI | Iliass Aouani | ITA | 2h07:16 |
| 27 | BARATA | Samuel Barata | POR | 2h07:35 |
| 28 | GARIBAY | Héctor Garibay | BOL | 2h07:44 |
| 22 | CHAKIR | Ibrahim Chakir Elosri | ESP | 2h07:48 |
| 30 | MOHAMED | Mohamed El Talhaoui | MOR | 2h08:03 |
Women’s Elite: Amane Beriso Leads a Stellar Field
In the women’s category, Amane Beriso returns to Valencia following her historic performance of 2:14:58 in 2022, currently the fifth fastest time in history. She will face top-level competitors, including:
- Megertu Alemu (ETH) – 2:16:34
- Hiwot Gebrekidan (ETH) – 2:17:59
- Tiruye Mesfin (ETH) – 2:18:47
- Sara Hall (USA) – 2:20:32
Additionally, athletes like Majida Maayouf (ESP), aiming to stand out among local runners, and Stella Chesang (UGA), promise an intense battle for the top positions.
The prospect of breaking new records on this fast course is one of the event’s most exciting features.
Women’s Elite list
| BIB | BIB NAME | NAME | COUNTRY | PB |
| 201 | BERISO | Amane Beriso | ETH | 2h14:58 |
| 202 | ALEMU | Megertu Alemu | ETH | 2h16:34 |
| 203 | GEBREKIDAN | Hiwot Gebrekidan | ETH | 2h17:59 |
| 204 | MESFIN | Tiruye Mesfin | ETH | 2h18:47 |
| 205 | CHESANG | Stella Chesang | UGA | 2h20:23 |
| 206 | SARA HALL | Sara Hall | USA | 2h20:32 |
| 207 | MAAYOUF | Majida Maayouf | ESP | 2h21:27 |
| 208 | CHIRCHIR | Evaline Chirchir | KEN | 2h22:11 |
| 209 | KUMSA | Chimdesa Kumsa | ETH | 2h22:13 |
| 210 | BATT-DOYLE | Isobel Batt-Doyle | AUS | 2h23:27 |
| 211 | ELMORE | Malindi Elmore | CAN | 2h23:30 |
| 212 | ASSEFA | Sofia Assefa | ETH | 2h23:33 |
| 213 | McCORMACK | Fionnuala McCormack | IRL | 2h23:58 |
| 214 | STENSON | Jessica Stenson | AUS | 2h24:01 |
| 215 | STEYN | Gerda Steyn | RSA | 2h24:03 |
| 216 | LAURA | Laura Hottenrott | GER | 2h24:32 |
| 217 | CAMILLA | Camilla Richardsson | FIN | 2h24:38 |
| 218 | BOULAID | Kaoutar Boulaid | ESP | 2h25:03 |
| 219 | EVANS | Clara Evans | GBR | 2h25:04 |
Will We See a New Record?
Marc Roig, the international elite coordinator, has emphasized the blend of seasoned athletes and promising debutants as the key attraction of this edition. “Having the record holders of the circuit on the starting line raises the excitement. Valencia always surprises, and this year will be no exception,” he stated.
With more than 20 national records at stake and a course designed to maximize personal bests, everything is set for the 2024 Valencia Marathon to solidify its place as one of the fastest marathons on the planet.
Eduardo A. is an SEO expert with over 10 years of experience in digital media and web writing. He has run the Valencia Marathon 12 times, making him an experienced voice in the event, providing valuable insights for both runners and their companions.
