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Three Kenyan stars will be making their debuts at the Valencia Marathon and will face veteran Ethiopian runner Kenenisa Bekele on Sunday, December 1, 2024.

World half marathon champion Sabastian Sawe, who has contested nine half marathons to date, world half marathon silver medallist Daniel Mateiko, and Hillary Kipkoech will be making their debuts in Valencia.

However, considerable spotlight will be on Bekele, who is returning to Valencia. The three-time Olympic gold medallist and five-time world champion has a personal best of 2:01:41.

Last year, Bekele finished fourth in Valencia in 2:04:19, then went on to take second place in London earlier this year in 2:04:15, and this was his fastest time in five years.

Three other Ethiopian men with sub-2:04 personal bests will be in Valencia: Birhanu Legese, Guye Adola, and Deresa Geleta.

Women’s race

In the women’s race, Evaline Chirchir will represent the country. She has completed just two marathons to date, her fastest being a 2:22:11 clocking in Daegu earlier this year. But her personal best for 10km (30:43) and the half marathon (1:06:01) make her one of the stars to watch.

However, Megertu Alemu heads to Valencia as the fastest in the women’s field after she clocked a personal best of 2:16:34 to finish fourth in London earlier this year.

Hiwot Gebrekidan was third in Valencia last year, clocking a personal best of 2:17:59, though she hasn’t contested a marathon since then. Fellow Ethiopian Tiruye Mesfin also set her personal best in Valencia, clocking 2:18:47 in 2022. 

Uganda will be represented by Stella Chesang, who set a Ugandan record of 2:20:23 on her marathon debut in Hamburg in 2023.