The elite fields for the Valencia Marathon on December 1 have been announced, with Kenenisa Bekele, Sisay Lemma and Amane Beriso leading a deep lineup to close out a busy year of running.
Lemma was victorious in Valencia last year, taking the win in 2:01:48 and pulled off a thriller at the Boston Marathon in April 2:06:17. He wan unable to compete at the Paris Olympics because of injury but is a favorite to repeat at Valencia.
Bekele will also be in the mix after finishing fourth in Valencia in 2023 in 2:01:41. At 42, Bekele continues to defy age and posted an impressive 02:04:15 for second place at the London Marathon in April.
The elite men will also be joined by a few runners making their debut in Valencia, Sebastian Sawe and Daniel Mateiko looking to push the pace despite neither running past half marathon distance in competition.
In the women’s field, Amane Beriso is back after her stunning 2:14:58 win in 2022 set a course record, which is also fifth best of all time. Beriso will be in good company in Valencia, as Megertu Alemu, Hiwot Gebrekidan, Tiruye Mesfin and Uganda’s Stella Chesang will all join her at the start line.
Men’s elite field and personal bests
Kenenisa Bekele (Ethiopia) – 2:01:41
Sisay Lemma (Ethiopia) – 2:01:48
Birhanu Legese (Ethiopia) – 2:02:48
Deresa Geleta (Ethiopia) – 2:03:27
Guye Adola (Ethiopia) – 2:03:46
Gashau Ayale (Israel) – 2:04:53
Tadesse Abraham (Switzerland) – 2:05:01
Alphonce Simbu (Tanzania) – 2:05:39
Sondre Moen (Norway) – 2:05:48
Samwel Fitwi (Germany) – 2:06:27
Andamlak Belihu (Ethiopia) – 2:06:40
Maru Teferi (Israel) – 2:06:43
Shokhrukh Davlyatov (Uzbekistan) – 2:07:02
Richard Ringer (Germany) – 2:07:05
Zerei Kbrom (Norwary) – 2:07:10
Women’s elite field and personal bests
Megertu Alemu (Ethiopia) – 2:16:34
Hiwot Gebrekidan (Ethiopia) – 2:17:59
Tiruye Mesfin (Ethiopia) – 2:18:47
Stella Chesang (Uganda) – 2:20:23
Sara Hall (USA) – 2:20:32
Majida Maayouf (Spain) – 2:21:27
Evaline Chirchir (Kenya) – 2:22:11
2Chimdesa Kumsa (Ethiopia) – 2:22:13
Isobel Batt-Doyle (Australia) – 2:23:27
Malindi Elmore (Canada) – 2:23:30
Sofia Assefa (Ethiopia) – 2:23:33
Fionnuala McCormack (Ireland) – 2:23:58
Jessica Stenson (Australia) – 2:24:01
Gerda Steyn (Russia) – 2:24:03
Laura Hottenrott (Germany) – 2:24:32
