Statements Valencia Half Marathon 2024

Marc Roig, coach of the international elite:

“We can be very proud of the results we have achieved. You don’t break a world record every day, but it has happened many times in Valencia. The weather didn’t make it easy. But it was a record day, a spectacular day in the men’s category. Last year we had four men in 57 minutes, this year we had three women in 63 minutes. I can’t be prouder than that”.

Yomif Kejelcha, winner of the Valencia Half Marathon Trinidad Alfonso Zurich and World Récord:

“This race was not easy. Today I told myself to do it in 57 minutes and I was seeing in the car chrono that it was possible despite the rain was there. I wanted to do it and I’m really happy for it. In the 15K I was confident so I thought I could get the record. In the 18K and 19K I was very nervous because the rhythm changed, so it was a big challenge. I was watching in the car my time. I didn’t know if I could do it better. The challenge was there, rain, curves were very sharp. My slippery feet in the curves were difficult. It wasn’t easy to turn right. Half marathon record is my dream and I beat it. I’m very happy. I beat my personal time in Valencia and now I beat the world record”.

Agnes Ngetich, winner of the Valencia Half Marathon Trinidad Alfonso Zurich:

“I’m really happy, and so proud I could reach the second fastest ever in my debut. Valencia will always stay in my memories. I always remember my record in the 10K. I want to think in Valencia and hope to come again. Running too fast in the first 10K wasn’t an error, it was done consciously to try to win in Valencia. It’s a great achievement for me. I did good time, and beat the result despite it was raining. Someday I’ll try to get a new record, hopefully in Valencia”.

Paco Borao, president of the Sociedad Deportiva Correcaminos:

“We have regained the World Record that Lisbon took away from us, very well taken away from us, by 1 second. And we have regained it by another second. We are already very close to the impossible. Even with the weather conditions, we have achieved a new world record. Another historic day and this time not entirely expected. Valencia confirms itself as the city of running with and without rain”.

José Antonio Redolat, coach of the Spanish elite:

“We beat a Spanish record again and we had three runners under the old record, which is very important. They were all very focused on running the half marathon but preparing for the marathon”. 

Kaoutar Boulaid, first Spanish classified and Spanish Record:

“Before I thought ‘I’m going to break the record. But then I was scared because of the rain, but I did it. It rained a lot today, but the water is for everyone, not just for me. Irene was ahead of me when she fell at kilometre 18 and I got a bit scared”.