One of many flags of the city of Valencia were seen throughout the route of the Valencia Marathon as participants hoped every step they ran was part of a symbol of the resiliency of an area devastated by recent flooding. (Photos courtesy of Valencia Ciudad del Running)
Races

After the Floods, Valencia Runners Unite Toward Healing

December 2, 2024
In late October, torrential rain triggered flooding in Spanish regions that covered Andalusia, Castilla–La Mancha and the areas around Valencia. One of the most deadly natural disasters in the history of the country, 231 people died and the affected areas will take considerable time to rebound.

In the weeks leading up to the race it was unclear if the marathon would go on as scheduled, as residents in the surrounding areas slowly assessed the impact in the aftermath of the flooding. Most believed that a race should not be a priority in the wake of the damage and resources be focused on recovery and cleanup efforts.

But race organizers persisted and informed the records 35,000 participants that the event would go on as scheduled and the focus of the marathon would shift to fundraising to rebuild impacted sports facilities.

Race day was a show of emotion from runners and a visual display of support for the city that would extend far past the course and distance markers. The participants took it upon themselves to show the fortitude of the area and pledge their support after the final runner crossed the finish line.

At the start line, emotions were high as a moment of silence was held to acknowledge those impacted by flooding in the region in October.
The futuristic Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias complex set the scene as a backdrop as tens of thousands of runners made their way through the course.
One wave after another lined up to take on the streets of Valencia as each group showed their own symbols of expression before the horn blared for their corral to begin.
A spectator along the course fashioned a Valencia city flag on her neck as a cape as she handed out water in the late stages of the race.
The grandstands along the road near the Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias were packed as the crowds roared for those who crossed the finish line.
The three hour pace group waits in the moments before their corral hits the streets of Valencia.
A large Valencia city flag draped over a highway over pass was highly visible as the roads separating two corrals joined together.
A participant shows his emotions just before crossing the finish line. His shirt reads “Amunt Valencia,” a common phrase in the region that translates to “Go Valencia”
Sabastian Sawe’s marathon debut was a stunner as his 2:02:05 win gave him the best marathon time of 2024 — and the fifth fastest marathon in history.
Megertu Alemu won the elite women’s race in 2:16:49, while Stella Chesang (2:18:26) took second and Tiruye Mesfin (2:18:35) came in third.
With the finish is view, the last straightaway is an all out sprint to conquering a fast and fast race.
The blue surface in the final stretch of the race is a sign to runners the that finish line is close.
Draped in a Valencia city flag, a runner lets out a scream as the crosses the finish line.

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