A group of elite athletes willing to consolidate Valencia as the fastest race in Spain
Valencia Marathon Trinidad Alfonso, organized by SD Correcaminos and the City Hall of Valencia, has presented a great range of elite athletes gathering an “explosive mixture” of experience and youth. The main objectives with this cast of athletes are to keep the fastest pace to favour 13,350 runners and, in the sports section, to consolidate Valencia as the fastest city in Spain, lowering the records obtained by Felix Kipkemoi Keny in 2013, 2h 07m 14s.
The elite men’s group consists of veterans and promising rookies accredited. Among the first ones are Tum (2h 06m 35s), Jacob Kendagor (2h 07m 53s), Francis Kiprop (2h 08m 53s), last year winner and owner of the record of Valencia circuit, Félix Keny (2h 07m 14s), and the Kenyan Albert Kiplagat Matebor, who achieved the best record of all participants with 2h 05m 25s, although he hasn’t lowered his record of 2h 08m in 3 years.
In the group of the youngest, the Eritrean Samuel Tsegay stands out above all reigning world half marathon runner-up and author of a register of 2h 07m 28s, as well as his fellow Amanuel Mesel (2h 08m 17s), who tends to adapt very well to the climate and the circuit of Valencia.
It will be really interesting to see the debut of Simon Cheprot (he is following a record under 2h 08m) and the performance of Geoffrey Ronoh, whose previous record of 2h 15m 51s does not do justice to its actual quality (59m 45s on average three months ago).
Equality in women’s category
Women are very equal, which complicates predictions. The best record belongs to the Kenyan Emily Samoei (2h 26m 52s), who heads a group of up to 7 long-distance runners with less than 2h 35m. Among them the Namibian Beata Naigambo (2h 27m 54s) stands out, famous for her honour, as she swore to finish the marathon at the recent Commonwealth Games played in Glasgow.
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Spanish participation
On the Spanish side, the group is completed with the outstanding participation of Nacho Cáceres, Olympic marathoner of Cárnicas Serrano, who will try to hold his best record in Valencia Trinidad Alfonso Marathon. David Solis, CA Bikila, the first national in the previous edition also will be one of the leading figures.
In the women’s section the most outstanding athletes are Tamara Sanfabio of Clínica Dental Seoane and Beatriz Molina, who will look for her best record.
