The marathon and 10k will bring more than 25,000 people to the streets of Valencia

Another year, another step up for the international reputation and prestige of the Valencia Marathon. The Trinidad Alfonso Valencia Marathon and the 10K, both organized by SD Correcaminos and the Valencian Government, return to the streets of Valencia on the 15^th of November in the 35^th edition. This year’s race is destined to be very special indeed.

The incredible number of runners in this edition demonstrates the international pull of the race with more than 4,000 competitors coming from all corners of the world. 88 countries make up 25% of the total census that, year after year, continues to grow and increases the prestige of the race and the city. A legion of international runners combined with the 5,500 Spanish runners coming from outside Valencia means that in the days around the event the city will be buzzing and the local economy will be booming.

There are 2 major aspects to this year’s event: 1) The Valencia Marathon was awarded the title of best race by the Royal Spanish Athletics Association two weeks ago. 2) The race will be highly competitive, and records will be broken due to the amount of elite runners and international runners looking to qualify for Rio 2016. The Valencia Marathon is already the fastest marathon in Spain and in 2013 Felix Kipkemoi Keny (2:07:14) ran the 6th fastest marathon in world marathon history. Also, don’t forget that Valencia has one of the loudest most colorful crowds in the world.

More than a marathon

In this year’s edition, The Trinidad Alfonso Valencia Marathon will demonstrate why it is the best race in Spain and why it was awarded the prestigious silver label by the IAAF. The city embraces the marathon and becomes a temple of running and related activities over the week of the marathon. More than 70 activities are on offer for runners and visitors to the city. Visitors can take part in the Paella Party, Rock&Run, Photo Marathon, Shopping Run and many more. Above all the Expo Deporte is the event and place where runners and visitors can come together to experience the best of the running world and the city’s events. The Expo Deporte has events for everybody, including children. There is the premiere of the running film ‘Impuls-a València’, mini-marathon and mini-Olympics, roadshows and the Breakfast Run that takes place on Saturday morning on the 14^th. The Breakfast Run will go through the dedicated 5K running track in the city center river park, more than 7,000 runners have already signed up for this relaxed social warm up.

A record breaking marathon that wants to break more.

Records will be broken by the runners this year. The line up features fourteen sub 2h10 runners, many of whom come to Valencia in excellent form. The man to watch out for is the course record holder Felix Kipkemoi Keny who will be keen to banish his poor performance of 2014. Hot on his heels will be the Ethiopians Tola Seboka (2:06:17) and Abraham Adihana (2:06:23). From Kenya, the elite runners Philemon Rono (2:07:07) and Luka Kanda (2:07:20) will be pushing for podium finishes; Luka won the Valencia Marathon in 2012. Matthew Kisorio returns to the full marathon after 4 years focusing on the 21K, and another half marathon specialist, Dawit Hagos (1h00:26 21K), hopes to perform well in the full distance. Completing this all star line up we have Félix Kandie (2h08:32) and Philip Kangogo (2h08:16) who have both won several marathons in 2014 and 2015.

The female course record holder Beata Naigambo returns as favorite after her record and PB of  2:30:55 in Valencia last year. Naigambo will not have it easy as 10 female runners who have all recorded recent times of sub 2:30:00 will be pushing her all the way.

To further increase the competitiveness of the elite race The Trinidad Alfonso Valencia Marathon has attracted more than 40 pro international runners to come to the city and get their Olympic qualifying times in Valencia. This will greatly improve the average finishing time of what is already a very fast marathon.

The 10k, the big little brother

The 10K will also have a very competitive edge to it as the runners Michael Bett, Roberto Sotomayor and Francisco Bachiller will be present, as will Sonia Labrado, Elena Moreno, Laura Méndez and Raquel Landín. For the crowd, the 10K is an excellent opportunity to feel the emotion of the quick race and then focus on the full marathon. For amateur runners, the 10K is a great stepping stone to feel the excitement and epic scale of a big international race, without punishing themselves too much. The 10K is a great incubator to inspire runners to take on the distance of Phidippides at least once in their lives.

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