Kibiwott Kandie set to defend Valencia Half Marathon title

Two-time Valencia Half Marathon champion Kibiwott Kandie will be looking to make it three in four years after being confirmed in the men's elite field for the showdown set for 22 October 2023.

The defending champion is among the list of athletes set to take to the streets of Valencia alongside 2019 winner Yomif Kejelcha.

Kandie will be in the company of his compatriots Matthew Kimeli, Sebastian Sawe, Bravin Kiprop, Patrick Mosin, Josphat Kiprotich, Brian Kwemoi, Hillary Kipkoech, Erick Sang, and Weldon Langat who have all posted times under one hour. Laban Kiplimo and Kelvin Kibiwott will also be in the lineup.

With the aim of getting as close as possible to the world record achieved in 2021 and being the world’s best in 2023, the women’s elite will be led by four athletes with sub 1h06 times, among them Melat Kejeta (GER, 1:05:18), current European record holder over the distance, together with Margaret Chelimo (KEN, 1:05:26), Gotytom Gebreslase (ETH, 1:05:36) and Tsigie Gebreselama (ETH, 1:05:46). In addition, ten other runners with 21.0795-kilometre times under 1h10 complete the initial list of names confirmed to run on 22 October.

The Valencia Half Marathon Trinidad Alfonso Zurich remains the world’s fastest race over this distance thanks to Letesenbet Gidey’s world record (1:02:52, 2021) and it is the second fastest for men, with a time set by Kandie (57:32, 2020). With this high-quality list, the Valencia Half Marathon will count this year with major international elite names who will travel to the city of running on 22 October to fly through its streets.

In the men’s race, familiar faces to the Valencia Half Marathon Trinidad Alfonso Zurich such as apart from the former winners Kandie (KEN, 57:32) and Yomif Kejelcha (ETH, 58:32) are among the favourites, together with other runners with times under 59 minutes including Matthew Kimeli (KEN, 58:43), Tadese Worku (ETH, 58:47), Hagos Gebrhiwet (ETH, 58:55) and Sebastian Sawe (KEN, 58:58).

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Coach Marc Roig is expecting records in the race for both men and women.

“We are expecting great records in Valencia. Valencia proves that it is, once again, the race chosen by the world elite to beat their records. The return of last year’s winners in the men’s category is a sign that this race is well liked. We expect some great records, as well as national records and to finish the year with the fastest world record of the year for both men and women,” Roig said.

The revamped route of the Valencian course will continue to offer the opportunity for outstanding performances in a race long established at the top level worldwide, and that continues to be committed to experienced athletes, as well as to young hopefuls and debutants at the distance to maintain the sporting successes, both of international elite and leading national runners, who will be announced in the next few days.