Malaga Marathon 2024: Record participation with 16,000 runners

On Sunday, December 15, the Malaga Marathon celebrated a historic 14th edition. The event reached a record number of participants, with 16,000 runners taking part in the prestigious 42.195 km race and the half marathon. Kenyan Vincent Kipkorir Kigen and Ethiopian Desta Gebre Aynalem left their mark on this Spanish event.

Despite a starting temperature of 52 degrees Fahrenheit (or 11 degrees Celsius) and a humidity level of 75%, this edition brought together an unprecedented number of participants. A total of 8,000 runners signed up for the marathon, while another 8,000 took part in the half marathon. The participation rate for this marathon saw a remarkable 60% increase compared to 2023. The event stood out for its international appeal, attracting runners from 75 different countries. Among them, 12% were from Malaga, emphasizing the event’s local significance.

Ethiopian Triple Triumph in Women’s Race 

In the men’s category, Kenyan Vincent Kipkorir Kigen was victorious, clocking in at 2:08:05. He edged out his compatriot Micah Kipkosgei Chemweno (2:09:21) and Ugandan Andrew Rotich Kwemoi (2:10:20). On the women’s side, Ethiopian Desta Gebre Aynalem claimed victory with a time of 2:25:10, followed by her fellow Ethiopians Mesfen Mekonnen Adanech (2:26:01) and Tsegaye Enyew Gojjam (2:26:13). While the Malaga Marathon records (2:07:39 for men and 2:24:50 for women) weren’t broken this year, the performances were nonetheless impressive.

In the half marathon, Swiss Jack Wood claimed victory with a time of 1:06:25. Noteworthy is the performance of Briton Alfie Manthorpe, who was the first to cross the finish line acting as a pacer, finishing in 1:02:29.

With this 14th edition, the Malaga Marathon solidifies its status among must-attend sporting events. Its record participation, international reach, and outstanding performances mark a turning point in the event’s history.