World Half Marathon silver medallist Kibiwott Kandie is aiming to replicate his previous successes on the fast streets of Valencia when he runs in the upcoming Valencia Half marathon on December 3.
This comes after the Valencia Marathon announced the initial list of international athletes with a view to maintaining its ambitious objectives for the event in the Ciudad del Running.
Already, Kandie has experience in getting the most out of the fast streets.
Kandie will be looking to run the full 42,195km alongside Uganda’s Joshua Cheptegei, who will be making his debut in what will be the biggest sporting highlights of the day.
This will not only be a challenge for him, but also for the top Kenyan and Ethiopian favourites.
Among other Kenyans that will be making a debut include the trio of Stanley Kurgat, Stephen Kiprop and Vincent Ngetich.
Kenyans Alexander Mutiso (2:03:29) and Titus Kipruto (2:04:54) and Ethiopians Sisay Lemma (2:03:36) and Leul Gebresilase (2:04:02) alongside Romania's Chalu Deso (2:04:53) will be among the five runners with sub-2:05 hrs who will be looking to improve their performances on a course that is ideal for personal bests.
Valencia Marathon’s international elite coach Marc Roig stated that this will be the strongest event in the world during the period.
Roig said: “In a pre-Olympic year, the Valencia Marathon represents the strongest event in the world. Dozens of athletes are looking to book their ticket to Paris 2024, with more than a dozen seeking national records and both the men’s and women’s front-runners going for course records. Valencia is, once again, the Ciudad del Running.
In the women’s race, the marathoners Tsegay Gemechu (2:16:56), Almaz Ayana (2:17:20), Worknesh Degefa (2:17:41), Joan Chelimo (2:18:04) and Hiwot Gebrekidan (2:19:10), all of whom have experience over the distance, are also expected to put up a tough fight in Bosena Mulatie’s exciting debut.
The marathon is the third fastest marathon in the world for men and women, thanks to the times of 2:01:53 and 2:14:58 respectively, achieved last year, and in 2023 it aspires to remain on the podium of the fastest marathons in the world.
