The 2024 Valencia Marathon takes place this Sunday (1 December) and if previous editions are anything to go by, the race promises to be a fast and furious affair.
Ethiopia’s Sisay Lemma crossed the line in a course record 2:01:48 in 2023, the sixth-fastest men’s marathon time ever.
Now he returns, along with a host of other rapid runners racing for glory on a course that has become notorious for quick times and unforgettable racing.
Find out everything you need to know about the 2024 Valencia Marathon below.
Kenenisa Bekele at the 2019 Berlin Marathon
(Alexander Koerner/Bongarts/Getty Images)
Athletes to watch in the 2024 Valencia Marathon
Sisay Lemma and Kenenisa Bekele lead stacked men’s field
While Lemma’s record-breaking run last year represents his greatest marathon time, his achievements this year make him once again the favourite for victory in Valencia.
At the 2024 Boston Marathon, the 33-year-old set off at a world-record pace and, while he slowed dramatically in the second half of the race, he still finished some 41 seconds ahead of the next-best finisher.
Lemma is a two-time Marathon Major winner, with his victory in Boston following his first place in the 2021 London Marathon. All eyes will be on the Ethiopian to see whether he can repeat in Spain or even challenge the top five marathon times in history.
If Lemma is to win consecutive Valencia Marathons, he will need to beat a number of other rapid distance runners with eyes on the top step of the podium.
Among those is the third-fastest male marathoner of all time, Kenenisa Bekele, who has enjoyed something of a resurgence over the past year.
Bekele finished fourth in last year’s race in Valencia, following it up with a second-place finish in the 2024 London Marathon.
The 42-year-old three-time Olympic gold medallist will need to be back to his brilliant best if he is to challenge for the win this Sunday. However, few would count him out of the reckoning should he be fit following a gruelling season that included a 39th-place finish in the Paris 2024 Olympic marathon.
While Lemma and Bekele are the stand-out marathoners on the start line, hopes are high for one runner who has never yet attempted the distance.
World half marathon champion Sabastian Sawe makes his debut in Valencia with much expected of the 28-year-old. His personal best of 58:02 over the shorter distance is just 32 seconds slower than the fastest half marathon ever, set by Yomif Kejelcha last year in Valencia.
Add to the mix two-time Tokyo Marathon champion Birhanu Legese (who also finished second in the 2019 Berlin Marathon) and the winner of the 2021 Berlin Marathon Guye Adola and this year’s men’s race has all the ingredients of a classic.
Sara Hall places second in the 2020 London Marathon
(Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)
Megertu Alemu, Hiwot Gebrekidan and Sara Hall among women's favourites
Ethiopia's Megertu Alemu will be one of the main favourites in the women's race following the late withdrawal of last year's champion Amane Beriso through injury. The 27-year-old Alemu has twice finished on the podium in Marathon Majors, including taking second and third respectively in the 2023 and 2022 London Marathons.
Fan favourite Sara Hall will also be aiming for victory in Valencia, with the 41-year-old American looking to improve upon her personal of 2:20:32 - the third-fastest ever by a U.S. women's runner - set in 2022.
Hall put on a stellar performance in the 2022 London Marathon, racing back from behind to secure a memorable second place ahead of Ruth Chepngetich. She also came third a year later in the 2021 Chicago Marathon and was the second American women’s finisher at the 2024 Boston Marathon.
Another runner who can't be overlooked is Hiwot Gebrekidan, who finished second in the 2021 Berlin Marathon. Gebrekidan knows the Valencia course well, having finished second there in last year's race where the women's course record was set by Beriso.
2024 Valencia Marathon schedule
Sunday 1 December
Both the elite men’s and women’s races will begin at 8:15 a.m
How to watch the 2024 Valencia Marathon
The 2024 Valencia Marathon will be live-streamed right here on Olympics.com on Sunday 1 December with no geo-restictions. Follow the action live, starting at 8:15 a.m.
