Listen to This Article Enhance your reading experience by listening to this article.

Former World half marathon record holder Geoffrey Kamworor has expressed his excitement after he was confirmed to run at the Valencia Marathon Trinidad Alfonso EDP, a World Athletics Elite Platinum Label race, on December 5.

Kamworor, winner of three world half marathon titles and two world cross-country titles, is eager to improve on his 2:06:12 PB set on his debut at the distance back in 2012.

Since he had to withdraw from the Tokyo Games due to injury, the two-time New York Marathon champion has been preparing exclusively for the Valencia Marathon.

“I’m very happy to announce that I will run the Valencia Marathon on December 5. It’s very great to be back on the start line. Valencia is a fantastic city with good memories because in 2018, I became World half marathon champion there,” read a statement on his official social media page.

The multiple Kenyan cross country champion will be up against the best athletes in the world including Boston and Chicago marathon winner

Lawrence Cherono and World bronze medalist Amos Kipruto.
Cherono is coming off a fourth-place finish at the Tokyo Olympics.

The 2019 Boston and Chicago champion will return to the scene of his 2:03:04 PB, a time which makes him the fastest in the field.

World bronze medallist Kipruto, who also achieved his personal best in Valencia, is another of the five sub-2:04 performers in the field.

Although no one in the women’s field has a PB faster than 2:20, organisers are hopeful that barrier will be broken again in Valencia for the third year in a row.

Kenya will be represented by the 2018 Prague Marathon champion Bornes Chepkirui and compatriot Purity Changwony.

Nancy Jelagat, who recently clocked 1:05:21 for the half marathon, looks to be due a big breakthrough at the marathon. Marathon debutante Dorcas Tuitoek is also one to watch.

“This year’s marathon is extremely competitive, as we like it in Valencia,” said elite athlete coordinator Marc Roig. “I don’t rule out a sprint finish in both the men’s and women’s races – in fact, I’m counting on it. The athletes know that Valencia offers one of the best courses for achieving personal best times. And this, with the level of runners we have, can easily translate into several athletes breaking the course record. By how much? We will see on December 5.”