Valencia presented its “Marathon of Marathons”, the 42nd edition of a test that has become an “international lighthouse”. The City of Running is ready for 30,000 athletes to run through its streets the 42,195 meters of the Trinidad Alfonso Valencia Marathon. Never had so many people participated in this race, Valencia never counted down to his departure with real aspirations for a world record. One woman will claim her place among legends: Letesenbet Gidey, who will run this Sunday with the aim of breaking Brigid Kosgei’s world record (2:14:04, Chicago 2019).
Gidey, current world record holder of 5000, 10,000, 15K and Half, has chosen Valencia to debut in the distance. Valencia again, where he broke the 5000 record in 2020 and the Media record in 2021, with a stratospheric mark (1:02:52). His fitness and training times in Addis Ababa (Ethiopia) invite you to dream in a world record. Gidey has been resting since last night in Valencia and today he will offer a press conference. “What there is between Gidey and Valencia is a romance”, commented Paco Borao, president of SD Correcaminos, organizer of the event together with the Valencia City Council and the Trinidad Alfonso Foundation of the Valencia Marathon.
The Ethiopian athlete hogs the spotlight for her goal, although he shares the headliner with the current world champion Tamirat Tola Marathon (2h03:39). Valencia will try to beat its own record in the men’s category (2h03:00, Evans Chebet, 2020) and, for this, in addition to the Ethiopian, the elite coach Marc Roig has called up Getaneh Molla for this Sunday (2h03:34) , Kaan Kigen Ozbilen (2h04:16) and there are many expectations placed on two rookies: Alexander Mutiso (57:59, 21K) and Philemon Kiplimo (58:11, 21K).
The elite category is made up of 300 runners and among them the main national athletes are Ayad Lamdasem (2h06:25), Javi Guerra (2h07:27), ‘Chiki’ Pérez (2h11:50) or Marta Galimany (2h27:08), while Tariku Novales debuted in the distance (1h01:46, 21K) and Fatima Ouhaddou, 1h10:37, 21K). In total, 124 countries will be represented in Valencia and the participation of foreign runners amounts to 50% of the census of 30,000. The number of registered women is 5,700 (19%).
A budget of 6 million euros
Valencia Trinidad Alfonso Marathon has a budget of 6 million euros. 45% comes from registrations, 32% from institutions and sponsors and 23% from the Trinidad Alfonso Foundation. The budget has grown compared to previous years, although the direct contribution of the Trinidad Alfonso Foundation has been reduced (from 2 million to 1.4), which reflects that the test is becoming sustainable beyond its main driver. . 37% of the budget is allocated to elite athletes, which in this edition are 300, and Gidey would receive 250,000 euros if he achieves the world record (30,000 for the test record and 25,000 for the Spanish record).
.){kind=link}