Who is who in the Trinidad Alfonso Valencia Half Marathon
Men
Abraham Cheroben. He has won two consecutive years in Valencia. He will be difficult to overshadow since he was the fastest man in the world both in the half marathons of 2014 and 2015 (both times in Valencia). He is one of the hot favourites and he is looking forward to winning for the third consecutive time in Valencia.
Yego Solomon Kirwa he rose to fame last spring when he finished the Roma-Ostia Half Marathon in 58:44 with the fastest 5K partial in history: 13:20 from 10 to 15. He has been training with Amos Kipruto (winner in Rome) and Dickson Chumba (second in Chicago on the 9th of October), among others. He will also run the Valencia Marahon so everyone wonders whether he will focus on training for the half marathon or he will save himself for November.
Sthepeh Kosgei Kibet is the eternal promise for the marathon, where he has never performed as well as he has done in the half marathon. He is a real asset under 60 minutes.
Leonard Patrick Komon is the world recordman in 10K and 15K. He has been trying to find himself for three or four years now, with poor results. He will try to give his best in Valencia.
Barselius Kypyego he is one of the athletes who have trained more this autumn. His time in Usti in September was 59:16. We do not know yet if he will be able to keep the pace, but if he does so, he might mount the podium.
Women
Worknesh Debele. She came second in the 2015 MMVTA and her time in 2016 has been 01:06:14, which is one of the best in history, only beaten by the great Violah Jepchumba (01:05:51), whose birthday (26) is on the 23rd of October, the race day.
Peres Jepchichir is the current world half marathon champion. She has run at least 5 half marathons this year, including the Eldoret in the beginning of October, where she beat all the young competitors (half marathons there are like mini Olympics due to the quality of the athletes who compete) and she won the $5,000 coveted award (the highest one in Kenyan half marathons).
Netsanet Gudeta Kebede. She won the race last year and she holds the circuit record. Competition is fierce this year but she aims at winning and shining again in the streets of Valencia.
Violah Jepchumba. She is the hot favourite in the 2016 edition. The Kenyan athlete holds the world record this year with 1:05:51 in the Prague Half Marathon 2016 and she has not been beaten yet this season.
