Valencia Marathon 2024: Top Results With Times

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World half-marathon champion Sabastian Sawe won the Valencia Marathon 2024 on Sunday with a world lead on his marathon debut.

The 28-year-old crossed the finish in a blistering two hours, two minutes, and five seconds (2:02:05). The Kenyan finished 33 seconds ahead of runner-up Deresa Geleta of Ethiopia, with compatriot Daniel Mateiko rounding out the podium in 2:04:24.

In the women’s event, Ethiopia’s Megertu Alemu emerged triumphant in a time of 2:16:49.

Valencia record-holder Sisay Lemma and three-time Olympic gold medallist Kenenisa Bekele headlined the men’s race which heated up in the second phase

The front group consisting of nine elite men were together for the first 21km, however, the race started taking toll in the second half with Bekele among the early casualties. Only six remained – Mateiko, Lemma, Birhanu Legesa, Sawe and Geleta – as they went through 30km.

The runners faltered one by one and Sawe then led with a significant gap over his challengers to eventually win in his marathon debut.

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In the women’s event, Alemu clocked 2:16:49, just outside her lifetime best, to win Valencia Marathon 2024. The 27-year-old finished ahead of Uganda’s Stella Chesang (2:18:26) and compatriot Tiruye Mesfin (2:18:35).

The late withdrawal of defending champion Amane Beriso of Ethiopia due to injury provided an opportunity for Alemu as the fastest racer on the start line.

Chesang, Mesfin, and Kenya’s Evaline Chirchir along with Alemu ran together in the early stages of the women’s race. However, after 15 kms only Chesang and Alemu were left fighting it out at the front with Mesfin and Chirchir dropping off.

The two runners went through the halfway mark at 67:50 before Alemu took a remarkable gap on the Ugandan athlete.

Also Read: List Of Records At Each Of The 7 Marathon Majors

Valencia Marathon 2024: Men’s results

1. Sabastian Sawe (KEN) 2:02:05
2. Deresa Geleta (ETH) 2:02:38
3. Daniel Mateiko (KEN)2:04:24
4. Alphonce Simbu (TAN) 2:04:38
5. Tadesse Abraham (SUI) 2:04:40
6. Chimdessa Debele (ETH) 2:04:44
7. Maru Teferi (ISR) 2:04:45
8. Hillary Kipkoech (KEN) 2:04:45
9. Samwel Fitwi (GER) 2:04:56
10. Sisay Lemma (ETH) 2:04:59

Valencia Marathon 2024: Women’s results

1. Megertu Alemu (ETH) 2:16:49
2. Stella Chesang (UGA) 2:18:26
3. Tiruye Mesfin (ETH) 2:18:35
4. Evaline Chirchir (KEN) 2:20:33
5. Majida Maayouf (ESP) 2:21:43
6. Chimdesa Kumsa (ETH) 2:21:54
7. Laura Luengo (ESP) 2:22:31
8. Isobel Batt-Doyle (AUS) 2:22:59
9. Moira Stewartova (CZE) 2:23:44
10. Sara Hall (USA) 2:23:45

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