The Spanish city hosts star-studded fields, with athletes hoping to run extremely quick times on the traditionally fast course
Some of the greatest marathon runners in the world will once again descend on Valencia on Sunday (December 1), just two months on from the horrific floods that devastated the region.
Given the severity of the damage on Valencia – it saw two months of rain in as many days at the end of October – there was uncertainty about whether the event would even take place.
Organisers decided that the Valencia Marathon would go ahead in the end, with a moment of remembrance occurring before the start of the elite races.
Valencia Marathon (Getty)
“It will be a hug to this wounded city and a promise of recovery, a moment in which sport becomes hope and help for those who need it most,” organsiers said.
“This year, the record we want to beat is that of solidarity, the record of a marathon that will remind each one of us of the power of being together. The immense strength of the collective as a society, and of sport, as a vehicle for reconstruction and recovery.
“We want that Valencia Marathon, your race, be a symbol of support for every family that has suffered, for every street and every corner of Valencia that is in the process of reconstruction.”
People lining the streets can look forward to watching some scintillating action, with a myriad of stars taking to the streets of the Spanish city.
Kenenisa Bekele (LM Events)
A stacked men’s field is led by Kenenisa Bekele and Sisay Lemma.
Bekele, a triple Olympic and five-time world track champion, is the third fastest marathon runner in history, with his personal best of 2:01:41 set back in Berlin five years ago.
The 42-year-old also created in history at last year’s Valencia Marathon, after he became the first athlete aged over 40 to run a sub-2:05 marathon, clocking 2:04:19.
At this year’s London Marathon, Bekele lowered that mark by four seconds, before going on to finish 39th for Ethiopia in the Olympic marathon in Paris.
On paper, Lemma – the reigning champion in Valencia – is the one to beat once again.
Sisay Lemma (Getty)
Last year, the 33-year-old clocked 2:01:48 in his victory, going fourth on the all-time list over 26.2 miles behind Bekele, Eliud Kipchoge and the late Kelvin Kiptum.
Lemma also secured the Boston marathon crown back in March and is a two-time major marathon champion, after his victory in London three years ago.
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