Valencia Marathon 2025: A Stacked Elite Field Featuring Sisay Lemma, John Korir, Amane Beriso, Peres Jepchirchir & Joyciline Jepkosgei

The Valencia Marathon returns this Sunday, December 7, ready to deliver what could be the most anticipated — and possibly the fastest — race of the year. Every winter, Valencia draws time-chasers from around the world, drawn by its flat course, incredible field depth, and ideal weather conditions. But this year, the race might enter a whole new dimension: records are expected to fall — and the world record itself could be under threat. Valencia is no longer just La Ciudad del Running — it has become the global capital of performance. Here’s a deep dive into the 2025 edition, which could usher in a new era for marathon running.

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| Valencia: The Global Laboratory of Performance

Over the past few years, the Valencia Marathon has become a cornerstone of the global marathon calendar. With its flat, fast course and perfect early-December weather, the event has earned World Athletics Platinum Label status and a reputation as the place to chase records.

This course has shaped modern marathon history. It was here that the late Kelvin Kiptum stunned the world in 2022, clocking 2:01:53 — the fastest marathon debut in history. It was here again in 2024 that Sebastian Sawe burst onto the scene with a spectacular 2:02:05.

Today, Valencia is both a launching pad for new stars and a year-end stage for champions seeking to make a statement. And to attract the world’s best, the organization has put serious money on the line: €1 million for any athlete who breaks the world record in Valencia — a prize far higher than what the Majors offer.

| Men’s Elite: Sisay Lemma vs. John Korir — A World Record Showdown?

The men’s field promises fireworks, suspense, and maybe history. Two names stand out above all others:

➜ Sisay Lemma (Ethiopia)
The 2023 Valencia champion returns as the clear favorite. His 2:01:48 victory two years ago remains the fourth-fastest marathon in history. After a mixed 2025 season that included a DNF in Boston, Lemma comes back to familiar ground — and he’s openly targeting Kelvin Kiptum’s 2:00:35 world record.

➜ John Korir (Kenya)
The 2025 Boston Marathon winner and pure talent, John Korir is known for his aggression. At the Chicago Marathon just weeks ago, he went out with Jacob Kiplimo at a blistering pace (halfway in 1:00:16) before dropping out. With a personal best of 2:02:44, the 29-year-old Kenyan arrives as the wild card — and a genuine threat to Lemma’s crown.

➜ The Chase Pack: Sub-2:06 Depth Everywhere
Behind them, the elite field is stacked: Tesfaye Deriba (2:04:13), Hillary Kipkoech (2:04:45), Stephen Kissa (2:04:48), Samuel Fitwi (2:04:56), Amanal Petros (2:04:58), Edward Cheserek (2:05:24), Suguru Osako (2:05:29), Tariku Novales (2:05:48), Nicolas Navarro (2:05:53), and Justus Kangogo (2:05:57).

➜ Debut Watch
Valencia has become the ultimate debut course — as Kiptum (2022) and Sawe (2024) proved. This year, keep an eye on Gemechu Dida and Patrick Mosin, two Kenyan newcomers who could make a serious first impression.

| French Contingent: Nicolas Navarro, Félix Bour, Valentin Gondouin & Bastien Augusto Aim High

The French are once again out in force. With 5,319 runners out of 36,000 participants, France is the most represented foreign nation at Valencia 2025.

➜ Nicolas Navarro
France’s third-fastest marathoner ever (2:05:53), with eight appearances in Valencia — it’s his second home.
His goal? A personal best, and maybe even a sub-2:05.
With a new coach and an altitude block in Font-Romeu, Navarro looks sharper than ever — and the field around him is ideal for a big performance.

➜ Félix Bour
After being forced to withdraw from New York due to illness, Bour refocused on Valencia. The fifth-fastest Frenchman all-time (2:06:46), he’ll be aiming for redemption — and a new PB.

➜ Valentin Gondouin
The breakout Frenchman of 2023, who ran 2:10:59 on debut here. The European half-marathon bronze medalist now targets sub-2:07, a huge leap but consistent with his progress. Earlier this year, he clocked a blazing 27:23 for 10K.

➜ Bastien Augusto — A Debut to Watch
One of France’s brightest distance hopes, Augusto is finally stepping up to 42.195 km. His recent form is impressive: 27:30 for 10K in Lille (Nov 15), right in the middle of his marathon build-up. He’s ready to make noise in his first full marathon.

➜ Also Lining Up
Igor Bougnot, Jason Pointeau, Julien Rabaca, Maxime Lopes, and Clément Leduc round out a strong, ambitious French squad ready to shine on one of the fastest courses in the world.

| Women’s Elite: Beriso, Jepchirchir & Jepkosgei — A Queen’s Battle

The women’s race is equally stacked, promising world-class times and a thrilling finish.

➜ Amane Beriso (Ethiopia)
Course record holder (2:14:58) and fifth-fastest woman in history. The 2023 World Marathon Champion knows Valencia better than anyone. After finishing fifth in Boston this year, she’s back on a course that suits her perfectly.

➜ Peres Jepchirchir (Kenya)
The 2021 Olympic champion, 2025 World Champion in Tokyo, and winner in New York and London, Jepchirchir has one of the most decorated résumés in history. With a personal best of 2:16:16 (London 2024), she has the pedigree — and the poise — to challenge for victory and maybe even the world record.

➜ Joyciline Jepkosgei (Kenya)
A living legend. The first woman to break 1:05 in the half marathon (2017), multiple world record holder from 10K to 21K, and winner of both New York (2019) and London (2021). Her PB of 2:16:24 (London 2024) puts her right in the mix. This will be her Valencia debut — and she’s coming to make history again.

The question is whether the Kenyan stars will work together to pressure Beriso — or turn the race into a tactical showdown. Either way, the women’s field is deep and dangerous.

➜ The Outsiders
The American contingent is strong: Keira D’Amato (2:19:12) and Emma Bates (2:23:18) lead the charge, with a real shot at breaking Emily Sisson’s U.S. record (2:18:29). Also in contention: Fikrte Wereta (2:21:32), Charlotte Purdue (2:22:17), Glenrose Xaba (2:22:22), Jessica Stenson (2:22:56), Isobel Batt-Doyle (2:22:59), Alisa Vainio (2:23:06), and Genevieve Greson (2:23:08).

| French Women Chasing Big Performances

Two-time French marathon champion Anaïs Quemener (PB 2:28:48) returns to competition after becoming a mother earlier this year. Valencia will serve as an important step toward her full comeback, with a target time under 2:35.

Alongside her, several French women are aiming for personal bests: Salomé Brun (2:30:33), Inès Hamoudi (2:31:13), Émilie Jacquot-Claude (2:31:53), Augustine Emeraux-Lombard (2:35:05), and Manon Coste (2:42:26).

One name to watch: Héloïse Laigle, who impressed this fall with a 1:12:24 half marathon in Lyon and will debut over the full distance.

| Special Guests: Tom Evans & Alex Yee Join the Party

Two of Britain’s biggest endurance stars will make the 2025 Valencia Marathon even more exciting: Tom Evans, winner of the 2025 UTMB, and Alex Yee, 2024 Olympic triathlon champion.

Evans is targeting around 2:12, which seems realistic given his strong road background (13:41 for 5K, 29:44 for 10K, 1:03:14 for half marathon). Yee, meanwhile, is aiming even higher — around 2:07 — after a stellar 2:11:08 debut in London and a 1:01:29 half in Valencia last month.

Their presence adds a fascinating crossover flavor to an already world-class field.

| Weather Watch: Warmer Than Usual Conditions

Runners aiming beyond 2:40 should take note — it will be warmer than usual. According to multiple European weather models, temperatures will start around 15°C (59°F) at the 8:00 a.m. start, staying manageable until about 10:00.

But from 11:00 onward, it could rise to 19–22°C (66–72°F), which may increase heat strain for slower runners in the final kilometers.

Elites and sub-2:30 finishers will likely escape the heat, but for others, hydration and pacing will be crucial.

Valencia by the Numbers: The Capital of Marathon Depth

• 67% international runners in 2025
• 150 nationalities represented
• 7 men under 2:05 in the elite field
• 4 women under 2:20
• 36,000 bibs sold (sold out)
• World Athletics Platinum Label certified
• One of the fastest marathon courses in the world
• Course records: 2:01:48 (Sisay Lemma, 2023) / 2:14:58 (Amane Beriso, 2022)

| Where to Watch

In France, the Valencia Marathon will be broadcast live on La Chaîne L’Équipe (from 8:15 a.m.) and Eurosport 2 (from 8:00 a.m.).
The start is scheduled for 8:15 a.m. local time.

The 2025 Valencia Marathon has everything to become the race of the year: historic depth, the Lemma–Korir duel, a potential world record, and an ambitious French contingent. On Sunday, La Ciudad del Running promises fireworks. Don’t miss it — it’s going to be fast.

✔ Find all official race information on the Valencia Marathon website.

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