Top results from the Valencia Half Marathon; Kibiwott Kandie, Margaret Chelimo run fast times

VALENCIA, Spain (Oct. 22) — The Valencia Half Marathon Trinidad Alfonso Zurich has set the pace for 2023, culminating in a nail-biting finish that saw three men cross the line almost simultaneously. Kibiwott Kandie, the Kenyan runner who also won in 2020 and 2022, led the pack with a time of 57:40, marking the fastest half marathon of the year and the fourth fastest in history.

Kibiwott Kandie Leads Race Against Clock

Kandie’s performance was closely followed by Yomif Kejelcha and Hagost Gebrhiwet, both clocking in at 57:41. – Read more: Women’s Marathon start list for Santiago 2023 Pan American Games: Preview, live stream, results

The race took place under ideal weather conditions, and although Kandie fell short of breaking his own world record set in 2020, he came remarkably close.

“Honestly, I was not aiming for the world record today but I felt strong throughout and pushed hard for most of the race,” Kandie said on World Athletics. “I promise to return to Valencia and regain the world record anyway. I’ll next focus on my build-up for the Valencia Marathon on 3 December.”

Women’s Race and Spanish Milestones

In the women’s category, Margaret Chelimo emerged victorious with a time of 1:04:46. She was followed by Irine Cheptai and Janet Chepngetich, who finished in 1:04:53 and 1:05:15, respectively.

The event also witnessed the breaking of two long-standing Spanish records. Carlos Mayo shattered a 22-year-old Spanish half marathon record with a time of 59:39, while Laura Luengo set a new national record, finishing in 1:09:41.

Kibiwott Kandie wins the Valencia Half Marathon Trinidad Alfonso Zurich 2023 – Highlights

• Kibiwott Kandie wins the men’s race with a 2023 best time of 57:40.
• Margaret Chelimo leads the women’s race, finishing in 1:04:46.
• Carlos Mayo and Laura Luengo break Spanish half marathon records.
• Yomif Kejelcha and Hagost Gebrhiwet finish a close second and third in the men’s race.

Valencia Half Marathon Trinidad Alfonso 2023 Results

Women’s Half Marathon Results – Top 20:

1. Margaret Chelimo – 1:04:46
2. Irine Cheptai – 1:04:53
3. Janet Chepngetich – 1:05:15
4. Gotytom Gebreslase – 1:06:12
5. Tigist Gezahagn – 1:06:20
6. Melat Kejeta – 1:06:25
7. Samantha Harrison – 1:07:10
8. Nigsti Haftu – 1:08:42
9. Carolina Wikström – 1:09:39
10. Lauren Hagans – 1:09:41
11. Laura Luengo – 1:09:41
12. Esther Navarrete Santana – 1:09:58
13. Fionnuala McCormack – 1:10:13
14. Marta Galimany – 1:10:45
15. Amy Davis – 1:10:46
16. Emily Kearney – 1:10:47
17. Susana Cristina da Silva Godinho – 1:10:53
18. Anne-Marie Blaney – 1:10:57
19. Marie Perrier – 1:11:13
20. Jacelyn Gruppen – 1:11:35

Men’s Half Marathon Results: – Top 20

1. Kandie, Kibiwo – 57:40
2. Kejelcha, Yomif – 57:41
3. Gebrhiwet, Hagos – 57:41
4. Barega, Selemon – 57:50
5. Sawe, Sabastian – 58:29
6. Chepkwony, Hillary – 58:53
7. Kimeli, Mathew – 59:00
8. Kimeli, Nicholas – 59:06
9. Kipkoech, Hillary – 59:22
10. Langat, Weldon – 59:22
11. Kiprop, Stephen – 59:32
12. Worku, Tadese – 59:33
13. Mayo, Carlos – 59:39
14. Barata, Samuel – 59:40
15. Riva, Pietro – 59:41
16. Felix, Bour – 1:00:39
17. Kwemoi, Brian – 1:00:40
18. Ben Daoud, Hamid – 1:00:41
19. Simbassa, Abbabiya – 1:00:42
20. Kibiwoot, Kelvin – 1:00:52