New men’s world record set in the Valencia Half Marathon
The Ethiopian Yomif Kejelcha set a new men’s world record today in the Valencia Half Marathon Trinidad Alfonso Zurich after clocking 57:30 after an epic race in the rain in which he dominated from the start.
The Valencia Half Marathon Trinidad Alfonso Zurich now occupies the top of the podium as the fastest 21,097 metres for both men and women. It already had the women’s world record set by Letesenbet Gidey in 2021 (1:02:52) and it now regains the men’s title it last held in 2020. Lisbon took the record from Valencia in 2021 by just one second (Jacob Kiplimo, 57:31), but that time has now been bettered by one second.
After Kejelcha, in second place was Daniel Mateiko, with a time of 58:17, and in third position, Isaia Kipkoech, in 58:21.
In the women’s race, the winner was Agnes Ngetich, who crossed the finish line with an excellent time of 1:03:04, which turned it into the second best time in history and the best of the year. Second place went to Fotyen Tesfay, in 1:03:21 and third place to Lilian Kasait, in 1:03:32.
Spanish women’s record
There has also been greatest joys for the Spaniards today, Kaoutar Boulaid has broken the Spanish women’s record with a time of 1:08:47, almost a minute below the previous record achieved in Valencia Half Marathon by Laura Luengo (1:09: 41) a year ago. Luengo was the second Spaniard to cross the finish line with 1:08:50, also improving her previous time. In third place has arrived the debutant Irene Sánchez-Escribano with 1:09:10.
In the men’s field, Thierry Ndikumwenayo was the first national with a time of 59:42, followed by Ibrahim Chakir, with 1:01:40, second, and Jorge Blanco, with 1:01:45.
