Ethiopian stars Sisay Lemma and Amane Beriso are set to headline the Valencia Marathon Trinidad Alfonso Zurich on December 1, 2024. As reigning course record-holders, they are determined to improve their historic performances in this World Athletics Platinum Label road race.
Sisay Lemma: Back to Defend and Break Records
Lemma’s 2:01:48 course record from 2023 is the sixth-fastest marathon time ever recorded. Since then, he secured victory at the Boston Marathon earlier this year with a time of 2:06:17.
This year, Lemma will face stiff competition from fellow Ethiopian Kenenisa Bekele, a three-time Olympic gold medalist and five-time world champion. Bekele’s personal best of 2:01:41 ranks him as the fastest man in the field, third on the all-time list, and just one spot ahead of Lemma. Bekele, who finished fourth in Valencia last year, has had an impressive season, including a second-place finish at the London Marathon and representing Ethiopia at the Paris Olympics.
Other top Ethiopian contenders include:
- Birhanu Legese: Two-time Tokyo Marathon champion
- Guye Adola: 2021 Berlin Marathon winner
- Deresa Geleta: Fifth-place finisher at the Paris Olympics
Rising Stars and Marathon Debuts
Valencia will also see the marathon debuts of several standout athletes:
- Sebastien Sawe: World half marathon champion with a stellar PB of 58:02
- Daniel Mateiko: World half marathon silver medalist, consistently running under 59 minutes
- Hillary Kipkoech: Former pacemaker for Lemma in 2023, now competing as a contender
Amane Beriso: Leading the Women’s Field
In 2022, Amane Beriso made headlines by setting a women’s course record of 2:14:58 in Valencia, the third-fastest time in history at the time. She continued her dominance by claiming the world title in Budapest in 2023. This year, she secured third place at the Tokyo Marathon with a time of 2:16:58 and finished fifth at the Paris Olympics.
Beriso will compete alongside a strong Ethiopian women’s contingent, including:
- Megertu Alemu: London and Chicago podium finisher
- Hiwot Gebrekidan: Third-place finisher in Valencia last year
- Tiruye Mesfin: Another top contender with a sub-2:19 PB
A Showcase of Elite Talent
The Valencia Marathon continues to solidify its reputation as one of the fastest courses in the world, drawing elite athletes and rising stars alike. With both seasoned champions and debut runners in the mix, the race promises thrilling performances and potential new records.
