The elite lineup for Sunday’s Valencia Marathon is set and a long year of distance running winds down and the fastest race of the season could be in the cards for the men’s and women’s fields.
Valencia continues to push its status up the list as a sought after race that offers ideal weather conditions and a fast course built for speed and flirting with taking down world records.
For the men, Sisay Lemma leads the way and knows the event well after storming to a 2:01:48 win in 2023 that still holds up as the fourth-fastest marathon in ever. Lowering his own mark, and possibly more, will be in his sights as he navigates year of mixed results. But Lemma will have to contend with John Korir, who is intent on bouncing back from a DNF in Chicago in October after roaring to a stunning win in Boston in April.
Both are seen as favorites but will be joined at the start line by a competitive men’s group that includes Tesfaye Deriba, Hillary Kipkoech, Stephen Kissa, Samuel Fitwi and Amanal Petros who have all clocked personal bests under 2:05 and will be a factor well into the halfway point of the race.
The women’s race is also loaded, with eyes on Amane Beriso, Peres Jepchirchir and Joyciline Jepkosgei as all three have the experience and power to grab the win on Sunday.
Beriso is the course record holder in Valencia at 2:14:58 from 2022 and the fifth-fastest woman ever. Meanwhile Jepchirchir is tested and has won on the biggest stages in New York, Boston and London and will have the composure to push the pace but know when to strike in the closing stages.
Jepkosgei makes her debut in Valencia but brings an arsenal of accolades along with her as the first woman to break 1:05 in the half marathon, previously collected big wins in New York and London and knows the glory of reaching a world record.
Keira D’Amato, Fikrte Wereta, Charlotte Purdue, Glenrose Xaba and Jessica Stenson are some of the names in the women’s field who will find a way to stick with the lead pack as the race winds down.
Start times
2:15a.m. – Elite men and women start
2:25a.m. – Wave 1 start
2:35a.m. – Wheelchair and visually impaired athletes
2:35a.m. – Wave 2 start
2:45a.m. – Wave 3 start
2:55a.m. – Wave 4 start
3:05a.m. – Wave 5 start
3:15a.m. – Wave 6 start
3:25a.m. – Wave 7 start
3:35a.m. – Wave 8 start
All times Eastern
How To Watch
The Valencia Marathon 2025 will be streamed live on Sunday at Olympics.com beginning at 2:15 a.m. Eastern with no geo-restrictions and will feature English and Spanish commentary. The race will also be broadcast on FloSports.
Women’s elite field
Amane Beriso (Ethiopia) – 2:14:58
Peres Jepchirchir (Ethiopia) – 2:16:16
Joyciline Jepkosgei (Kenya) – 2:16:24
Keira D’Amato (USA) – 2:19:12
Fikrte Wereta (Ethiopia) – 2:21:32
Charlotte Purdue (Great Britain) – 2:22:17
Glenrose Xaba (South Africa) – 2:22:22
Jessica Stenson (Australia) – 2:22:56
Isobel Batt-Doyle (Australia) – 2:22:59
Alisa Vainio (Finland) – 2:23:06
Genevieve Gregson (Australia) – 2:23:08
Emma Bates (USA) – 2:23:18
Malindi Elmore (Canada) – 2:23:30
Ester Navarrete (Spain) – 2:24:40
Chloe Herbiet (Belgium) – 2:24:56
Meritxell Soler (Spain) – 2:24:57
Gesa Krause (Germany) – debut
Men’s elite field
Sisay Lemma (Ethiopia) – 2:01:48
John Korir (Kenya) – 2:02:43
Tesfaye Deriba (Ethiopia) – 2:04:13
Hillary Kipkoech (Kenya) – 2:04:45
Stephen Kissa (Uganda) – 2:04:48
Samuel Fitwi (Germany) – 2:04:56
Amanal Petros (Germany) – 2:04:58
Enock Onchari (Kenya) – 2:05:20
Edward Cheserek (Kenya) – 2:05:24
Suguru Osako (Japan) – 2:05:29
Tariku Novales (Spain) – 2:05:48
Nico Navarro (France) – 2:05:53
Justus Kangogo (Kenya) – 2:05:57
Yemane Crippa (Italy) – 2:06:06
Felix Bour (France) – 2:06:46
Felicien Muhitira (Rwanda) – 2:06:54
Shokhrukh Davlatov (Uzbekistan) – 2:07:02
Hendrik Pfeiffer (Germany) – 2:07:14
Philip Sesemann (Great Britain) – 2:07:18
Abderrazak Charik (Algeria) – 2:07:20
Gemechu Dida (Ethiopia) – debut
Patrick Mosin (Kenya) – debut
