Kenyan athletes emerged victorious at the 2025 Valencia Marathon, held on December 7. John Korir and Joyciline Jepkosgei both displayed remarkable performances, marking significant achievements in their racing careers.
John Korir’s Stunning Win
John Korir celebrated his second marathon victory of the season. After a tough outing at the Chicago Marathon in October, he returned to form. Korir broke away from the lead group shortly after the 25km mark, finishing with a personal best time of 2:02:25.
Korir expressed pride in his performance, stating, “People are saying the Korir name is going down, but I have come here and proved to them that Korir is still there.” His victory reinforces his status as a top marathon competitor.
Notable Finishes
- Amanal Petros: The German athlete took second place, achieving a new national record with a time of 2:04:03, improving his previous best by 53 seconds.
- Awet Kibrab: The Norwegian runner finished third, breaking his country’s record by 1:24 with a time of 2:04:24.
- Osako Suguru: Representing Japan, Suguru secured fourth place, setting a new national best by finishing in 2:04:55.
- Alex Yee: The Olympic triathlon champion became the second-fastest British marathoner, finishing seventh with a time of 2:06:38. He surpassed Emile Cairess on the GB all-time leaderboard.
This year’s Valencia Marathon showcased exceptional talent and fierce competition, illustrating the high standards in long-distance running.
Joyciline Jepkosgei’s World-Leading Performance
In the women’s race, Joyciline Jepkosgei delivered an impressive performance. Her victory not only secured the win but also established a new world-leading time. Jepkosgei’s performance highlighted her status as one of the leading marathon runners today.
Both Korir and Jepkosgei’s victories at the Valencia Marathon solidify their places in marathon history and set the stage for future competitions.
