Although it isn’t part of the World Marathon Majors, the Valencia Marathon has long been regarded as one of the fastest courses.Usually held in December, its mild weather and super-flat course make it an ideal choice for runners looking to improve their personal bests.
Course record holder Sisay Lemma (2:01:48) faces strong rival John Korir (2:02:44); both hold two World Marathon Majors titles.
This year's elite field includes six men with a PB under 2:05; although that's one more than last year, there are only two runners under 2:04, compared with five who were 2:04 or faster last year, so the overall level of the men's field has dipped.
Of greater interest to Asian runners is Japanese athlete Suguru Osako — his first major race since signing with Li-Ning is highly anticipated.
In the women's field, the favorites for the title will be among the Ethiopian athlete,women's course record holder Amane Beriso (Amane Beriso 2:14:58), and two Kenyan athletes Peres Jepchirchir (2:16:16), and Joyciline Jepkosgei (2:16:24).
At 15:15 Beijing time on December 7 (08:15 local time), the 2025 Valencia Marathon got underway.The first 5 km took 14:37, pace 2:55, with Kenyan runner Benson Tunyo (Benson Tunyo), Sisay Lemma,John Collier were among them,Gemechu Dida and others were also present, and Tunyo's marathon PB is 2:09:01 . At that pace, the lead group pushed on for another 5 km; the first 10 km pace stayed around 2:55, with a 10 km time of 29:17.The lead group of eight also included Tanzanian Mao Ako（half marathon PB 1:00:28），肯尼亚选手 Francis Abong。Suguru Osako is in 17th place, covering the first 10 kilometers in 29:37, with an average pace of 2:57/km,If he doesn't slow down in the later stages, he's on track to finish inside 2:05.In the women's first ten kilometers, Jepchiche and Jepkosgei ran side by side,with Beriso 16 seconds behind.Ten kilometers was covered in 32 minutes: the first 5 km at a 3:15 pace, and the second 5 km began to accelerate to 3:11. In the third 5 km, Jepchiche accelerated again, bringing the average pace to 3:10, and if that pace is sustained the finishing time would be 2:13:36. The course record looks set to be broken.After the halfway mark, the men's lead pack was reduced to five,Kenyan Hillary Kipkoech，EthiopianGemechu Dida 、Justus KANGOGO, SisayLema以及科利尔在列。半程用时1小时01分47秒。平均配速始终保持在255。大迫杰位于第13位，用时 1:02:41。On the women's side, Jepchirchir and Jepkosgei had already put more than a minute on their chasers, the half split was 1:06:34, and the fourth 5K split picked up another second to a 3:09/km pace.At 25 km, Suguru Osako had moved up to ninth, the 25 km split 1:14:17, holding a steady 2:58/km pace. In the men's lead group were Collier,Gemechu Dida,Hillary Kipkoech, the Kenyan Justus Kangogo and Sisay Lemma had formed a stable front group, the 25 km split 1:13:18, averaging 2:55/km. At that steady tempo, it came down to who would make the first move in the second half.Collier kicked first, the 30 km split 1:27:31, and began to open up a gap on those behind — his pace remained unbroken. Behind him were two fellow Kenyans,Hillary Kipkoech,Justus Kangogo.Sisay Lemma dropped out of the top ten. German Amanal Petros, though 1:20 down, had moved up to fifth. Suguru Osako remained ninth, the 30 km split 1:28:52, averaging a 2:57/km pace.On the women's side the two continued to run together, the 30 km split 1:34:47, averaging 3:09/km.Ethiopia's Fikrte Wereta chased up to third, the gap having grown to 3:35; her full marathon PB is 2:21:32.Beriso had slipped to fifth.By 40 km, Collier continued to extend the gap on the men's side, averaging 2:54/km. Those behind could no longer close in. But the podium spots shifted: German Amanal Petros had moved into second, while Eritrea's Awet Kibrab rose to third. On the women's side, Jepchirchir and Jepkosgei likewise stayed in front.There was no upset in the end: Collier stayed in front, kicked for home and won in 2:02:25, a PB. German Amanal Petros was second in 2:04:03. The late mover, Eritrea's Awet Kibrab, took third in 2:04:25.Suguru Osako chased again in the later stages and ran 2:04:55 to improve the Japanese national record by one second — at 34, this is his third time breaking the Japanese record. Congratulations, Suguru Osako!!!On the women's side, Jepkosgei used a powerful sprint to overtake Jepchirchir just before the finish, winning in 2:14:00, while Jepchirchir was second in 2:14:43. Both athletes broke the course record and significantly improved their personal bests.Images：跑野大爆炸 / Visuals：五年练习生
