The Valencia Marathon Trinidad Alfonso EDP is organising an Elite Edition marathon and half marathon to be held on 6 December 2020. Organisers can now confirm the names of the first male and female athletes who will seek to achieve the most ambitious sporting goal possible by trying to set new race records.

In the case of the marathon, the goal will be to beat the current times set in Valencia and get as close as possible to the current men’s and women’s world records.

The Ethiopians Birhanu Legese (2h02:48, third best time in marathon history) and Kinde Atanaw (2h:03:51), winner last year and current record holder for the Valencian course, are two of the athletes who will try to achieve this feat.

In addition, the winner of the Boston and Chicago marathons, Lawrence Cherono (2h04:06), the European record holder Kaan Kigen Özbilen (2h04:16) and the World Champion Lelisa Desisa (2h04:45), will be among the Platinum and Gold athletes who will meet in Valencia Ciudad del Running on 6 December.

The athletes will also include several world champions at the distance and winners of different majors in recent years, as well as other debutantes at 42,195 m with a great desire to achieve a good time, such as Jemal Yimer.

Four sub 2:20 females set to race

In terms of women athletes, after a 2019 in which four athletes finished in under 2h19 at the last marathon in Valencia, the list of female starters will include the Ethiopians Azmera Abreha (2h18:33), Ruti Aga (2h18:34), Birhane Dibaba (2h18:35), Zeineba Yimer (2h19:28), Tigist Girma (2h19:52) and Mare Dibaba (2h19:52), all with times under 2 hours 20 minutes.

The American Jordan Hasay (2h20:57) and the debutante Fancy Chemutai are other big names, in addition to Joyciline Jepkosgei (2h22:38), who won in New York in her premiere at 42.195 kilometres, and she already knows what it is to win in Valencia, where she achieved the world record in a half marathon in 2017. Joan Chelimo (1h05:04 – Half Marathon) and Peres Jepchichir (current half marathon – only women – world record) will also be in the front line.

Rhonex Kiprituo and Jacob Kiplimo will make for an exciting race with a host of sub 60 minute runners. Photo: Run Czech

Assault on the half marathon with two top level debutantes

And the strong field in the Valencia Half Marathon Elite Edition, which will also be held on 6 December but without overlapping on the course with the marathon, will include a team of athletes who will seek, in the fast streets of Valencia Ciudad del Running, to approach the world record for both men (58:01) and women (1h04:21).

The Kenyan Rhonex Kipruto, who achieved the world record at 10K (26:24) in the Ibercaja Valencia 10K, is the big favourite to fight for a world-beating time at 21,097.5 metres, along with another runner who has not yet premiered in the half marathon, the Ugandan Jacob Kiplimo (26:41 at 10K).

And up to ten more runners with times below 60 minutes augur well for a very fast race.

Stephen Kiprop (58:42), Bedan Karoki (58:42), Bernard Ngeno (59:07), Alexander Mutiso (59:09), Julien Wanders (59:13 and European record), Philemon Kiplimo (59:28), Geoffrey Koech (59:36), Gabriel Geay (59:42), Alfred Barkach (59:46) and Kelvin Kiptum (59:53) will be running to beat their best times.

A new women’s world record possible?

And in the women’s race, distance debutante Ethiopian Letensenbet Gidey, with the world’s best time over 15K (44:20) along with Kenyan Sheila Chepkirui, winner of the 10K in Valencia and Prague, will fight for the best women’s time in history alongside the experience of 2019 winner Senbere Teferi (1h05:32).

British hopes in the half marathon will lie with Callum Hawkins (1:00:01), who might be looking to join the sub 60 minute gang, and Charlotte Purdue, who could have a chance of bettering her 68:23 personal best.

For Marc Roig, International Elite Coach for the Valencia Marathon and Half Marathon “we have worked hard in recent months to put together two lists that include the highest-level elite athletes, to break our own records and get as close as possible to the world records for the two distances. Along with these names, there are others to be confirmed that will, without a doubt, make Valencia the biggest race of 2020”.

Thanks to the Trinidad Alfonso Foundation and the sponsors for their support.

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Organisers have announced the complete elite fields for the 123rd edition of the Boston Marathon on Monday, April 15.

Nine Boston Marathon champions and seven Boston Marathon wheelchair champions will challenge their respective fields.

Desiree Linden and Yuki Kawauchi were the surprise 2018 winners as they battled through the rain and blustery winds while many of the favourites faltered in the far from ideal racing conditions.

The duo will return to defend their crowns to lead a combined field that has won more than 200 international marathons and includes Olympic and Paralympic medalists, World Championships Marathon medalists and Abbott World Marathon Majors champions.

Yuki Kawauchi heads men’s field

Leading a formidable field of 29 elite men are: 2018 Boston winner Yuki Kawauchi of Japan; 2017 Boston and 2017 IAAF World Marathon Champion Geoffrey Kirui of Kenya; two-time Boston champion and 2018 New York City Marathon champion Lelisa Desisa of Ethiopia; 2016 Boston victor Lemi Berhanu of Ethiopia; and 2012 Boston champion Wesley Korir of Kenya.

Chasing the champions are 2:04 marathoners Lawrence Cherono of Kenya, a two-time Amsterdam, two-time Honolulu, Seville and Prague champion; Sisay Lemma of Ethiopia, winner of Carpi, Warsaw, Vienna, Frankfurt and Ljubljana; and Solomon Deksisa of Ethiopia, winner of Mumbai and Hamburg.

The Japanese pair of Hiroto Inoue and Hayato Sonoda also join the team. Inoue won the 2018 Asian Games Marathon and Sonoda was runner up in Beppu-Oita last year.

From Eritrea, 2015 World Championships Marathon gold medalist and 2016 New York City champion Ghirmay Ghebreslassie will be in contention as will countryman Zersenay Tadese, a four-time Olympian, former world record holder in the half marathon and winner of six World Championships titles.

The previously announced American athletes include third place finisher last year, Shadrack Biwott; Olympians Dathan Ritzenhein, Abdi Abdirahman, and Jared Ward; as well as Jeffery Eggleston, Elkanah Kibet, Timothy Ritchie, Scott Fauble, Aaron Braun and Brian Shrader.

Among those making their Boston debuts are several men who ran their personal best times in 2018: Rotterdam winner Kenneth Kipkemoi of Kenya; two-time Toronto champion Benson Kipruto of Kenya; and Beirut winner Mohamed Reda El Aaraby of Morocco.

Also joining the international field is British Olympian Scott Overall and 2:06 Kenyan marathoners Felix Kandie, the Athens and Prague champion; Festus Talam, a two-time Eindhoven winner; and Philemon Rono, a two-time Toronto champion.

11 sub 2:23 women set for Boston

On the women’s elite team, John Hancock has assembled an accomplished field of 22 elite athletes, 11 of whom have personal best times under 2:23:00.

Leading the way is 2018 winner Desiree Linden of the United States; two-time World Championships Marathon gold medalist, three-time Abbott World Marathon Majors series winner and 2017 Boston champion Edna Kiplagat of Kenya; 2015 Boston, Prague and Las Vegas winner Caroline Rotich of Kenya; and 2012 Boston, Hamburg, Toronto, Torino and Singapore winner Sharon Cherop of Kenya.

Challenging the Boston champions are 2:19 Ethiopian marathoners Aselefech Mergia, a London champion and three-time winner of Dubai; Mare Dibaba, the 2015 World Championships Marathon gold medalist, 2016 Olympic Marathon bronze medalist, Chicago Marathon champion, Beijing and two-time Xiamen winner; and Worknesh Degefa, a Dubai champion.

Last year’s second and third place finishers, Sarah Sellers of the United States and Krista DuChene of Canada return to improve their positions. They join Olympic and World Championships silver medalist in the 10,000m, Sally Kipyego of the United States; and previously announced U.S. elites: Jordan Hasay, third at Boston in 2017; Sara Hall, 2017 national champion; Lindsay Flanagan; Becky Wade; and Sarah Crouch.

Photo: Chicago Marathon

Joining them will be a trio of Ethiopians: two-time Olympian Meskerem Assefa, winner of Rotterdam and Frankfurt; Olympian Belaynesh Oljira, 2015 World Championships 10,000m bronze medalist; and Marta Megra, a Toronto champion.

Rounding out the field and new to the Boston course are Olympian Betsy Saina of Kenya, a Paris champion; Olympian Eva Vrabcova of the Czech Republic, the bronze medalist in the 2018 European Marathon Championships; Olympian Aly Dixon of Great Britain; and making her marathon debut is Mary Wacera of Kenya, the World Championships Half Marathon silver medalist in 2014 and bronze medalist in 2016.

Wheelchair fields

In the men’s wheelchair race, defending champion Marcel Hug of Switzerland looks to earn his fifth wheelchair title and is part of a stellar international field featuring 10-time winner Ernst van Dyk of South Africa.

Joining Hug and van Dyk are fellow Boston winners Masazumi Soejima and Hiroyuki Yamamoto (both from Japan) as well as former course record holder Joshua Cassidy (Canada). British stars David Weir and Johnboy Smith; Japan’s Hiroki Nishida, Ryota Yoshida, and Kota Hokinoue; Canada’s Tristan Smyth; and Ireland’s Patrick Monahan round out the international men’s field.

American men’s contenders Daniel Romanchuk, Joshua George, Aaron Pike, James Senbeta, Krige Schabort, and Brian Siemann are all entered as well. Romanchuk won the 2018 New York City and Chicago Marathons.

Manuela Schar of Switzerland returns to the scene of her course record and world best performance in the women’s wheelchair race.

Schar timed a blistering 1:28:17 from Hopkinton to Boston in 2017, becoming the first woman ever to dip under the 1:30 barrier in Boston. She’ll be joined on the starting line by compatriot Sandra Graf; Madison De Rozario and Eliza Ault-Connell of Australia; Margriet Van Den Broek of the Netherlands; Diane Roy of Canada; and Aline de Rocha of Brazil.

Five-time winner and defending champion Tatyana McFadden fronts the American charge, leading Susannah Scaroni, Amanda McGrory, Arielle Rausin, Katrina Gerhard, and Michelle Wheeler.

Full elite men’s field

Full elite women’s field

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Amy Cragg has followed fellow American Jordan Hasay in withdrawing from the Chicago Marathon on Sunday, October 7.

Cragg, who won the Chicago Marathon in 2014, informed organisers her withdrawal was due to a setback in her preparations for the race. The 34 year-old won bronze in the marathon at London 2017 and was among the leading entries.

Hasay, the second fastest American woman of all-time, pulled out of the marathon major last week due to a stress fracture in her heel bone.

Photo: Chicago Marathon

Laura Thweatt, who ran 2:25:38 at the London Marathon in 2017, along with Olympic triathlon champion Gwen Jorgensen now lead the US hopes, while Greek-American athlete Alexi Pappas is also set to make her exciting debut.

RELATED: Alexi Pappas is ready to make her marathon debut

Commonwealth Games sixth-place finisher Aly Dixon is the sole British runner competing in the women’s race, which is headed by Ethiopian athlete Roza Dereje, who clocked 2:19:17 to win the Dubai Marathon at the beginning of the year.

The men’s race still remains stacked with talent and includes defending champion Galen Rupp, British marathon record holder Mo Farah, and Boston Marathon champion, Yuki Kawauchi.

However, Britain’s Rob Mullet, who was set to make his marathon debut withdrew on Friday (September 28) due to an Achilles injury.

The 2016 steeplechase Olympian said on social media: “I was due to run my first marathon in a few weeks at the BOA Chicago Marathon but I have had to withdraw after aggravating my Achilles racing last week in Philadelphia.

“It is very disappointing, to say the least, after the last few months of training I put together. The build-up was something totally new for me. It was challenging and (mostly) enjoyable!”

RELATED: Mo Farah and Galen Rupp to battle at Chicago Marathon

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European 5000m champion Sifan Hassan will race for the first time over 13.1 miles at the Copenhagen Half Marathon on Sunday, September 16.

The Dutch star is among a stellar field for the annual Danish capital half marathon event, that includes 15 men who have run under the hour and eight women who have dipped inside 68 minutes.

Having focused predominately on 1500m racing in the past, Hassan joined the US-based Nike Oregon Project in 2016 and has been working towards the longer distances ever since, with European 5000m gold this month in Berlin her crowning moment thus far. The previous month, Hasan also broke the European record and Dutch national record with a 14:22.34 performance at the Diamond League in Rabat.

UPDATE: The Ethiopian born athlete was set to be joined by American training partners Galen Rupp and Jordan Hasay on the streets of Copenhagen, however, the duo have now withdrawn as they focus on the Chicago Marathon in October.

“In the world of running, it is said that CPH Half is going to be the most exciting half marathon in decades,” said Jakob Larsen, director of the Danish Athletics Federation and member of the IAAF Road Race Commission.

“An elite field boasting 15 sub-60 men, three out of four of the fastest half marathon runners over the past six years, and four out of the top-five IAAF ranked road runners, is proof of an extremely high level. Actually, I don’t think we have seen anything like this in many years.”

Women’s elite summary

While Hassan’s debut over the distance will have many watching, there are also eight leading women on the start-line with a sub-68:00 personal best. With four out of the top-ten IAAF world ranked road runners in the line-up, we have a broad field with two major favourites leading the way – one of which will be targeting the world record.

Joan Chelimo Melly, the fourth fastest woman of all time, returns after taking second place at last year’s CPH Half and has announced that she will be targeting the world record in Copenhagen. Netsanet Gudeta, who is reigning world champion and current world-record holder (women-only), is also a strong candidate to seek the win.

“Until now, a world record in the women’s race was not realistic. But with world champion Netsanet Gudeta and Joan Melly in the line-up, we will see a really fast race,” said Larsen. “Melly has announced that she will be attacking the world record, and with a personal best of 65:04 set earlier this year, she has demonstrated that she has the required level”

Men’s elite summary

In the men’s division, the odds favour the defending CPH Half champ, Abraham Cheroben, who set a 2017 world lead time in the streets of Copenhagen when breaking the tape in 58:40. The other major favourite is this year’s Berlin Half Marathon champion, Erick Kiptanui, who has announced that he will be attacking the world record in Copenhagen.

Due to the mind-boggling elite level, Jemal Yimer Mekonnen of Ethiopia, who boasts the world’s third-fastest half marathon time and an impressive 59 minutes dash set earlier this year, must see himself left outside of the favourites to take the win among a field stacked with sub-hour runners.

Also confirmed for the CPH Half is 2017 London Marathon champion Daniel Wanjiru, USA’s Leonard Korir, while outside of the sub-60:00 men, Olympian Paul Pollock will provide Irish interest.

Additionally, second and third respectively at the CPH Half last year, Jorum Okombo and Alex Korio of Kenya, will return to Copenhagen. Together with Cheroben, they were the only three men to dip under 59 minutes in 2017, ranking them eighth and 10th of all times.

Leading women

Netsanet Gudeta Kebede, ETH, 66.11
Joan Chelimo Melly, KEN, 65.04
Edith Chelimo, KEN, 65.52
Ruth Chepngetich, KEN, 66.19
Ababel Yeshaneh Brihane, ETH, 66.22
Mary Wacera Ngugi, KEN, 66.29
Meskerem Assefa, ETH, 67.42
Sifan Hassan, NED

Leading men

Abraham Cheroben, BRN, 58.40
Erick Kiptanui, KEN, 58.42
Jemal Yimer Mekonnen, ETH, 59.00
Jorum Lumbasi Okombo, KEN, 58.48
Alex Oloitiptip Korio, KEN, 58.51
Mangata Ndiwa, KEN, 59.07
Daniel Kinyua Wanjiru, KEN, 59.20
Edwin Kiprop Kiptoo, KEN, 59.26
Abrahm Kiptum, KEN, 59.36
Morris Munene Gachaga, KEN, 59.36
James Rungaru, KEN, 59.37
Amdework Walelegn Tadese, ETH, 59.50
Moses Martin Kurong, UGA, 59.50
Leonard Korir, USA, 59.52
Asefa Mengstu Negewo, ETH, 59.54

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Galen Rupp and Jordan Hasay will compete in the 41st edition of the Chicago Marathon in October, organisers announced on Wednesday (May 16).

Rupp’s return to Chicago comes on the heels of his impressive victory and personal best at the Prague Marathon on May 6. The American clocked 2:06:07 to become the third-fastest American ever – behind Khalid Khannouchi and Ryan Hall – and the second-fastest American on a record-eligible course.

“I’m so excited to be returning to Chicago to defend my title,” said the three-time Olympic medalist. “I’d like to thank Carey and everyone at the Bank of America Chicago Marathon for all the great work they do. I couldn’t be more thrilled to be heading back to the Windy City.”

Rupp stamped his name in Chicago Marathon history with less than three miles to go last fall to become the first American male to win since Khannouchi broke the tape in 2002, ending a long drought for U.S. men.

In March, he narrowly missed breaking Ryan Hall’s American record by four seconds in the half marathon, running 59:47 in Rome to become only the third American to break 60 minutes and the second-fastest American in history.

Rupp and Hasay became the first American duo to finish in the top three since Jerry Lawson and Kristy Johnston took home a pair of second-place finishes in 1996.

Hasay, also a member of the Nike Oregon Project, ran bravely in Chicago last autumn, hitting the first 10K on course-record pace and hanging on to finish third in the second-fastest time ever recorded by an American woman and the fastest American time ever in Chicago, 2:20:57.

The 26 year-old initially turned heads at the 2017 Boston Marathon with a spectacular debut performance. She finished third in 2:23:00, the fastest marathon debut ever by an American woman by almost three minutes; she also turned in the fourth-fastest Boston Marathon time in history by an American woman.

“I’m thrilled to be coming back to Chicago,” said Hasay who was meant to compete to Boston this year but withdrew due to injury. “My goal is to target a fast time and contend for the win. As always, I know the race organizers will set up a fantastic event and the people of Chicago will make it a very fun day!”

Executive Race Director Carey Pinkowski said: “Galen and Jordan are leading an exciting American resurgence in the marathon, and we are thrilled to welcome them back to Chicago this coming fall.

“Galen won in a decisive move last year and just dominated a talented men’s field. He’s a phenomenal athlete who has taken his track speed to the roads with incredible success. Jordan ran with pure guts and she was rewarded with a podium finish and the fastest American time ever run on Chicago’s course. She has found her distance with the marathon.”

The 41st annual Bank of America Chicago Marathon will take place on Sunday, October 7. More than 40,000 runners are expected to line up in Grant Park, cheered on by the thunderous applause of over 1 million spectators. The iconic Chicago course will take runners on a dynamic tour through 29 of Chicago’s most vibrant neighbourhoods.

The post Galen Rupp to defend his Chicago Marathon title appeared first on Fast Running.

Samuelson does have a lot of experience in the marathon, to say the least, and has set the marathon world record twice before.

The first world record was at the Boston Marathon in 1983 when she ran in 2:22.43 and then in 1985 at the Chicago Marathon, completing it in 2:21.21.

The American also won an Olympic gold in the marathon at the Los Angles Olympics in 1984.

Still regardless of past glories, to go for another world record at sixty years of age won’t be easy and the attempt in itself should be commended.

Samuelson said: “Storytelling is important to me and it’s how I motivate myself.

“My race decisions often reflect my narrative. Once I turned 60, I knew that the Chicago Marathon would represent the next chapter in my career.”

The existing 60-64 age group world record is held by New Zealand’s Bernie Portenski, who in 2010, ran 3:01.30 at Gold Coast marathon.

The Olympic win in 1984 was also the first time the women’s marathon featured at the Olympics. See Joan’s famous win below.

Set to join Samuelson in the 40th Chicago marathon are Galen Rupp, a three-time Olympian and Jordan Hasay, who broke the American marathon debut record this year.

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Joyciline Jepkosgei of Kenya has set four world records including a new world half marathon record at the Sportisimo Prague Half Marathon on April 1.

Early in the race, it was clear that something special was about to happen when Jepkosgei set a world record time at the 10km mark. The previous 10km world record, set by Britain’s Paula Radcliffe had stood since 2003.

Jepkosgei did not slow down and set further world record times at 15km and 20km. The Kenyan athlete’s split times were 30:05 at 10km, 45:37 at 15km and 1:01:25 at 20km.

The defending champion Violah Jepchumba was close by though and stuck with Jepkosgei until 18km into the race.

In a stellar performance, Jepkosgei crossed the finish line in 1:04:52, breaking the previous world record by 14 seconds, set by compatriot Peres Jepchirchir.

The women’s final places were: 1st place – Jepkosgei: 64:52, 2nd place Jepchumba: 65:22 and 3rd place Chemutai: 66:58.

Also a worthy mention was the performance of USA’s Jordan Hasay. In only her second half marathon she finished in sixth place with a time of 67:55. A new personal best for the US athlete and the third fastest ever time by an American female – previously belonging to Kara Goucher.

Wow, what a run by @JordanHasay in 67:55! Moves in front of Kara Goucher for US#3 all-time. Only behind Kastor (67:34) & Huddle (67:41) pic.twitter.com/JoSzebwpG9

— Ryan Fenton (@ryanmfenton) April 1, 2017

In the men’s race, Olympic 10,000m bronze medallist Tamirat Tola won in a time of 59:37.

The Ethiopian finished ahead of Kenya’s Josphat Tanui (60:38) and third to cross the line was Geoffrey Yegon in 60:41.

Continuing his build up to the Boston Marathon next month USA’s Galen Rupp crossed the line in 61:59 to finish in 11th place.

Rupp will have to go again as he aims to better his personal best time of 61:29.

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