The 2021 London Marathon champion Joyciline Jepkosgei will be out to reignite her winning touch when she lines up for the Valencia Marathon on December 7, hoping to bounce back from a modest outing at the tRUNsylvania 10K in Brasov, Romania.
Earlier this month, the long-distance ace clocked 30:41 to finish fifth in Brasov, in a race dominated by Ethiopia’s rising star Medina Eisa, who claimed victory in 30:28. Fellow Kenyan Brenda Kenei came in second in 30:29, while Qatar’s Mariam Njoki wrapped up the podium in 30:31.
Despite missing out on the top positions, Jepkosgei remained upbeat, viewing the race as an ideal tune-up for her marathon build-up.
"I loved competing in Brasov, the city and people are very nice. "I am happy about my race. Some speed preparations for the marathon are always good," she shared.
The 31-year-old has had an impressive 2025 campaign, consistently mixing endurance with speed across the road and track. She opened her season at the National Cross Country Championships in Eldoret on February 8, where she placed fourth in the senior women’s 10km race, clocking 35:02.
Brillian Kipkoech (34:30), Maurine Chebor (34:33), and Stacey Ndiwa (34:55) filled the podium.
A week later, Jepkosgei stormed to victory at the Barcelona Half Marathon, breaking the course record with a 1:04:13 finish. Gladys Chepkurui (1:06:25) and Ethiopia’s Zerihun Alemtsehay (1:08:19) completed the podium.
Her fine form continued at the London Marathon in April, where she finished second in 2:18:44 behind Ethiopia’s Tigst Assefa, who rewrote history with a women-only world record of 2:15:50. Jepkosgei then briefly traded the roads for the track, featuring in the KDF Championships over 5,000m and 10,000m.
She clinched victory in the 5,000m with 15:23.6 ahead of Daisilah Jerono (15:28.8) and Esther Chemtai (15:36.1), before settling for second in the 10,000m in 33:35.00 behind Sheila Chepkirui (33:34.14).
Before heading to Romania, Jepkosgei tested her endurance once more at the Copenhagen Half Marathon, narrowly missing the podium after finishing fourth in 1:06:22.
The race was won by Likina Amebaw (1:04:44), with Sharon Lokedi (1:05:00) and Wede Kefale (1:05:21) completing the top three.
Valencia is a city that holds a special place in Jepkosgei’s illustrious career. It was at the Valencia half-marathon in 2017 that she shattered the world record with a time of 1:04:51.
Three years later, she returned to finish second in the marathon, clocking 2:18:40 behind compatriot Peres Jepchirchir (2:17:16). Namibia’s Helalia Johannes (2:19:52) was third.
