by Justin Lagat
Evans Chebet set the Valencia Marathon record in 2020 with his 2:03:00! Will it be broken in 2021? photo by Valencia Marathon
Peres Jepchirchir set the CR of 2:17.16 in Valencia last year. Since then, she won the Olympic gold medal and NYC Marathon. We think her record is solid in Valencia for this season. photo by Valencia Marathon.
Justin Lagat took a shot at the possible fast times at the Valencia Marathon this coming weekend. Here’s his thoughts on the big, fast race in Spain!
Some fast times should be expected this weekend at the 2021 Valencia Marathon, especially with some good cooperation from the weather that is expected to be cool and the pacing by some of the world’s best half marathon runners. Alexander Mutiso (57:59), Victor Chumo (59:58), and Bernard Ngeno (59:09) are part of the pacers for the Valencia Marathon this weekend.
The men’s elite field itself is deep with 34 runners having their personal best times under 2:10, 24 under 2:08, 8 under 2:05, and 3 under 2:04.
Lawrence Cherono who was second behind Evans Chebet last year is the fastest on paper with a time of 2:03:04. Closely behind him are two Ethiopians; Herpasa Negasa (2:03:40) and Hatanaw Kinde (2:03:51). Cherono who is currently ranked 4th in the world will be having the advantage of knowing the course well given that he ran it last year and registered his personal best time.
But more focus will definitely be on Geoffrey Kamworor; the three-time world cross country and half marathon champion. It has been almost ten years since Kamworor registered his personal best time of 2:06:12 at the Berlin Marathon in 2012. The former world record holder for the half marathon distance has never run on a faster course since he last did the Berlin Marathon in 2014 and with the experience he now has of having won the New York City Marathon two times; in 2017 and 2019, it is almost guaranteed that he is going to run a new personal best time in Valencia come Sunday the 5th of November 2021.
Gutemi Shone is expected to shine in the women’s race given her experience and the fact that she only ran her personal best time of 2:20:11 last year at the Dubai Marathon. She has the fastest personal best time on the start list. Others to watch out for will be Azmera Gebru (2:20:48) and Bornes Chepkirui (2:21:26).
Dorcas Tiotoek who has 1:06:33 in the half marathon will also be making her marathon debut. It will be interesting to see what a 66 minute half marathon will translate into.
Course records stand at 2:03:00 for men by Evans Chebet and at 2:17:16 for women by Peres Jepchirchir.
