The Trinidad Alfonso Valencia Half Marathon is fastest half marathon in world for second year running
Valencia and the Trinidad Alfonso Half marathon can safely announce that it is once again the fastest half marathon in the world. The sporting achievements of the Valencia event is the fruit of 12 months work to make sure that Valencia had a top quality group of elite athletes who would push all the way to get fast times and break records. The half marathon, organized by the SD Correcaminos and the Valencia government has worked hard over this year and the previous 24 years to cement Valencia at the very top of the running calendar and record books.
Abraham Cheroben is the star of the Valencian half marathon and the city has adopted him as their own. The 23 year old from Kenya finished the 2015 Valencia race with a stunning 59:10. This, however, was not his best ever time. That came in Valencia in 2014 when he finished in 58:48 just 25 seconds shy of the world record. Abraham is only 23, we are sure that in the next few years on Valencia’s flat course, with a crowd that loves him, he could push all the way to secure even faster times.
Abraham won the race but due to the all-star line up of the race, it was not a foregone conclusion that he would show the elite group a clean pair of sneaker soles and finish unchallenged. The main push form his rivals came from Mathew Kipkoech Kisorio, who finished in 59:52. This is a great time and made for a thrilling finish to the race as Abraham could not relax. Mathew’s time was the 18th fastest half marathon in the world in 2015. The flat course, great weather, world class organization (IAAF Silver Label) and increasing roster of elite talent means that Valencia is one of the best places to get a record.
The sporting achievements do not stop just with the men. Netsanet Gudeta (24) and Worknesh Degefa (25) achieved the 8th and 9th best times in the world for the distance in the 2015 Valencia Half Marathon. Netsanet finished in 1:07 and Worknesh finished in 1:07:51. This builds on the excellent time that was set by Emily Chebet Muge in 2014 who was the 8th fastest half marathoner in the world in Valencia.
Valencia´s entry into the top flight of road running is now fully established. Not only is it a place that attracts top elite runners but it also has a great reputation as a place where runners can come in the winter and run in nice temperature, and have a great 3-4 day holiday whilst pushing for a PB.
