John Korir surged to a dominant win and Joyciline Jepkosgei grabbed the world lead in a sweep of the top podium spots at the Valencia Marathon on Sunday.
Both performances close a long year of distance racing in commanding fashion with Korir’s 2:02:24 victory in the men’s race coming with a strong second half negative split effort, while Jepkosgei won in 2:14:00 for the fourth-fastest time ever by a woman.
Korir, 29, had plenty to prove as a looked to rebound from a DNF at the Chicago Marathon in October after a dramatic win in April at the Boston Marathon. He wasted little time establishing position within the lead group as they crossed the halfway point at 1:01:47.
But shortly after, Korir noticeably pushed the pace and by the 25km point at 1:13:18 he opened a sizable gap that continued to grow as he clocked a negative split to finished the remainder of the race.
“People are saying the Korir name is going down but I have come here and proved to them that Korir is still there,” Korir said following the race. “I’ve closed my year with a PB. I enjoy myself here in Valencia.”
Amanal Petros finished second in 2:04:03 while Awet Kibrab was third in 2:04:25.
In the women’s race, Jepkosgei might have been making her Valencia debut but she also carried her deep experience as a competitor to the start line where the prospect of a record falling was in play through the 10km mark at 32:00 alongside Peres Jepchirchir.
They would continue to trade strides through the halfway point at 1:06:34 with aggressive pacing that would continue deep into the race as Jepkosgei and Jepchirchir breezed past 30km at 1:34:47. Moments later it appeared Jepchirchir was set to shift gear as she pushed ahead and opened a small lead while Jepkosgei stayed close.
But as they approached the 40km point, Jepchirchir began to fade while Jepkosgei continued forward and widened the gap as the chance for a world lead became reality as she crossed the finish line.
Jepkosgei, 31, posted an emphatic 2:14:00 win that is the fourth-fastest time ever by a woman.
Despite finishing 43 seconds behind for second place in 2:14:43, Jepchirchir’s performance is the seventh-fastest time ever. Chloe Herbiet took third place in 2:20:38.
“I’m so excited, it’s so amazing to win this race with a personal best time, I don’t know what to say,” Jepkosgei said. “I’m so grateful. What it means for me to close the season [with a world lead], I’m so happy.”
Women’s elite finishers
1. Joyciline Jepkosgei (Kenya) – 2:14:00
2. Peres Jepchirchir (Kenya) – 2:14:43
3. Chloe Herbiet (Belgium) – 2:20:38
4. Alisa Vainio (Finland) – 2:20:48
5. Jessica Stenson (Australia) – 2:21:25
6. Glenrose Xaba (South Africa) – 2:23:22
7. Isobel Batt-Doyle (Australia) – 2:23:35
8. Lonah Salpeter (Israel) – 2:23:45
9. Meritxell Soler (Spain) – 2:23:49
10. Natasha Wilson (Great Britain) – 2:24:22
11. Ester Navarrete (Spain) – 2:24:31
12. Malindi Elmore (Canada) – 2:24:54
13 Emma Bates (USA) – 2:25:51
14. Julia Mayer (Austria) – 2:26:09
15. Nora Szabo (Hungary) – 2:27:06
16. Hamoudi Inès (France) – 2:27:36
17. Lily Partridge (Great Britain) – 2:27:55
18. Carolina Johnson (Sweden) – 2:28:01
19. Héloïse Laigle (France) – 2:28:04
20. Solange Jesus (Portugal) – 2:28:10
21. Keira D’Amato (USA) – 2:28:14
22. Genevieve Gregson (Australia) – 2:28:51
23. Elissa Legault (Canada) – 2:29:05
24. Ida Amelie Robsahm (Norway) – 2:29:57
25. Jacelyn Gruppen (Netherlands) – 2:30:45
Men’s elite finishers
1. John Korir (Kenya) – 2:02:25
2. Amanal Petros (Germany) – 2:04:03
3. Awet Kibrab (Norway) – 2:04:25
4. Suguru Osako (Japan) – 2:04:55
5. Gashau Ayale (Israel) – 2:05:30
6. Justus Kangogo (Kenya) – 2:06:11
7. Alex Yee (Great Britain) – 2:06:38
8. Félix Bour (France) – 2:06:41
9. Filmon Tesfu (Netherlands) – 2:06:42
10. Gemechu Dida (Ethiopia) – 2:06:45
11. Hendrik Pfeiffer (Germany) – 2:06:46
12. Samuel Fitwi (Germany) – 2:07:01
13. Philip Sesemann (Great Britain) – 2:07:11
14. Edward Cheserek (Kenya) – :07:14
15. Patrick Mosin (Kenya) – 2:07:18
16. Ibrahim Chakir (Spain) – 2:07:21
17. Valentin Gondouin (France) – 2:07:55
18. Hillary Kipkoech (Kenya) – 2:08:13
19. Jorge Gonzalez Rivera (Spain) – 2:08:35
20. Samuel Barata (Portugal) – 2:08:40
21. Nassim Hassaous (Spain) – 2:08:45
22. Jonny Mellor (Great Britain) – 2:08:45
23. Carlos Mayo Nieto (Spain) – 2:08:53
24. Simon Boch (Germany) – 2:08:55
25. Sisay Lemma (Ethiopia) – 2:08:58
