19 Valencia Marathon runners achieve Olympic qualifying times for Rio 2016

The Trinidad Alfonso Valencia Marathon, organized by SD Correcaminos and the Valencian Government, has served as a springboard for 19 international runners to compete in Rio de Janeiro 2016. 6 men and 13 women could achieve their dream thanks to the program ‘Valencia to Rio’. The program will award any runner 5,000 Euros if their Valencia marathon time obtains them selection in their national squad for the Olympic Games.

An array of runners from all over the world have the chance of getting the financial award and running in the Olympics. Over 18 countries are on the list: Namibia, Morocco, Germany, Italy, Portugal, South Africa, Lithuania, Sweden, Slovenia, Bosnia Herzegovina, Montenegro, Estonia, Belgium, Austria, Brazil, United States and Argentina.
The highlights of this group of aspiring Olympic champions include: The Belgian Abdelhadi el Hachimi with 2:14.12 and Edwin Kemboi from Austria with 2:15.11. For the women, the winner of the Valencia Marathon 2015 Beata Naigambo (Namibia) with 2:26.57 and Malika Asahssah from Morroco who finished third in Valencia with 2:28.01.