World marathon champion Peres Jepchirchir and Boston Marathon winner John Korir will be in the spotlight at Sunday’s highly anticipated Valencia Marathon.
Jepchirchir returns to familiar territory where she has previously tasted success. The 32-year-old dominated in Valencia in 2020, storming to victory in 2:17:16 to lead a Kenyan 1–2 as Joyciline Jepkosgei followed in 2:18:40, with Namibia’s Helalia Johannes completing the podium in 2:19:52.
The Olympic and World champion arrives in superb form after her golden triumph at the Tokyo World Championships in September — her only race of 2025 — where she produced a masterful kick to seal the world title in 2:24:43, edging Ethiopia’s Tigst Assefa (2:24:45) and Uruguay’s Julia Paternain (2:27:23).
In Valencia, Jepchirchir will face stiff competition from course record-holder Amane Beriso and compatriot Jepkosgei, the 2021 London Marathon champion.
Beriso shattered the course record in 2022 with a blistering 2:14:58, while Jepkosgei also knows the course well, having broken the half marathon world record there in 2017 with 1:04:51.
In the men’s race, Korir is targeting nothing short of victory.
“I will be running in Valencia on Sunday. My main target is to win,” he told The Star.
Despite Valencia’s reputation as one of the fastest courses in the world, the 29-year-old insists he will run a calculated race.
“I will run a tactical race; I will not go out hard,” he added.
Korir is keen to rebound from his Chicago Marathon disappointment, where he failed to finish.
“The shape I had in Chicago is still there. My target was to run under 2:01, but in Valencia I am going for the win,” he said.
“After Chicago, I took some rest, then went back to training. I have been doing 200km weekly.”
The Boston Marathon champion has enjoyed a stellar 2025, opening his season with victory there in 2:04:45 ahead of Tanzania’s Alphonce Simbu and compatriot CyBrian Kotut, before extending his momentum with a commanding win at the Boilermaker 15K in July.
However, a fierce test awaits in Valencia, with Ethiopia’s 2023 champion Sisay Lemma headlining the elite field. Lemma, who claimed the 2023 title in 2:01:48, has struggled this year — failing to finish in Boston — but remains a formidable presence on the start line.
Reigning Sydney Marathon champion Hailemaryam Kiros also features among the contenders.
A strong Kenyan contingent, including Hillary Kipkoech, Enock Onchari, Edward Cheserek and Bernard Biwott, accompanies Korir.
