VALENCIA, Spain (Oct. 21) — The 2023 Valencia Half Marathon Trinidad Alfonso is shaping up to be a high-stakes showdown with the recently crowned world half road-running champions Sabastian Sawe and Hagos Gebrhiwet, as well as 2022 world marathon champion Gotytom Gebreslase, among the favorites.
The event, scheduled for Sunday, October 22, promises fast times and intense competition, with live streaming available for fans worldwide as the World Athletics Elite Label road race begins.
Live Streaming and Weather Forecast
Fans who are unable to be there in person can catch all the action live on Medio Maratón Valencia Trinidad Alfonso Zurich YouTube Channel and Apunt Media. The broadcast is schedule to start at 2:00 a.m. ET time in the USA. The weather is expected to be cloudy and windless, with temperatures around 15°C, providing ideal conditions for the runners.
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Men’s Race: A Battle of Champions
Sabastian Sawe, who recently won the half marathon at the World Road Running Championships in Riga, leads a strong men’s lineup. The Kenyan is reportedly in peak form and aims to maintain his winning streak while improving on his personal best of 58:02.
His main competition is likely to come from fellow Kenyan Kibiwott Kandie, the defending champion, and Ethiopians Hagos Gebrhiwet, Tadese Worku and Yomif Kejelcha.
Women’s Race: Global Medallists in the Spotlight
The women’s race, meanwhile, is set to be a clash between global medallists, including Ethiopia’s Gotytom Gebreslase, Kenya’s Margaret Chelimo, and Germany’s Melat Kejeta.
Gebreslase aims to improve upon her personal best of 1:05:36, while Chelimo and Kejeta will also be strong contenders.
USA’s Lauren Hagans of Hoka NAZ Elite will also lineup the women’s field and she will be aiming to better her personal best of 1:09:46.
Additional Information
Pacemakers have been instructed to cover the first 10km in 30:40, setting up the field for fast finishing times. More than 100 nationalities will be represented in the mass race of 22,000 competitors.
“Valencia proves that it is, once again, the race chosen by the world elite to beat their records,” Marc Roig, coach of the international elite for the Valencia Half Marathon said. “The return of last year’s winners in the men’s category is a sign that this race is well liked.
“We expect some great records, as well as national records and to finish the year with the fastest world record of the year for both men and women.”
2023 Valencia Half Marathon Trinidad Alfonso Elite Fields
| Men Runners | PB | Country | Women Runners | PB | Country |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| K. Kandie | 0:57:32 | KEN | Melat Kejeta | 1:05:18 | GER |
| Yomif Kejelcha | 0:58:32 | ETH | M. Chelimo | 1:05:26 | KEN |
| Mathew Kimeli | 0:58:43 | KEN | G. Gebreslase | 1:05:36 | ETH |
| Tadese Worku | 0:58:47 | ETH | Ftaw Zeray | 1:06:06 | ETH |
| Hagos Gebrhiwet | 0:58:55 | ETH | Nigsti Haftu | 1:06:17 | ETH |
| S. Sawe | 0:58:58 | KEN | Yalemget Yaregal | 1:06:27 | ETH |
| Bravin Kiprop | 0:59:22 | KEN | Tigist Gezahagn | 1:06:41 | ETH |
| Patrick Mosin | 0:59:31 | KEN | J. Chepngetich | 1:06:42 | KEN |
| Brian Kwemoi | 0:59:37 | KEN | S. Harrison | 1:07:17 | GBR |
| Hillary Kipkoech | 0:59:41 | KEN | Lemlem Hailu | 1:08:50 | ETH |
| Erick Sang | 0:59:50 | KEN | Lauren Hagans | 1:09:46 | USA |
| Weldon Langat | 0:59:55 | KEN | Mekdes Woldu | 1:09:43 | FRA |
| Laban Kiplimo | 1:00:13 | KEN | |||
| Kelvin Kibiwott | 1:00:14 | KEN | |||
| A. Simbassa | 1:00:37 | USA | |||
| Selemon Barega | 1:00:39 | ETH |
