© Maratón Valencia Trinidad Alfonso Zurich
Valencia Marathon 2025: John Korir and Joyciline Jepkosgei Shine on the Blue Carpet
Valencia delivered another masterclass. Everyone expected the 2025 elite field to be outrageous. Everyone knew the course was built for speed. But no one predicted such an avalanche of performances. With John Korir dropping a sensational 2:02:24 and Joyciline Jepkosgei producing a flawless 2:14:00 to become the fourth-fastest woman in history, the “Ciudad del Running” once again proved why it has become the global epicenter of marathon performance. On a Sunday morning warmer than expected, the City of Arts and Sciences vibrated with world-class results, national records, and standout French performances. Here’s a look back at a 45th edition that will remain etched in the memory of running fans.
| John Korir Delivers a Masterclass and a Historic Negative Split
The Kenyan put on a display of total control. After taking huge risks in Chicago last October—going out at world-record pace before dropping out before 30 km—Korir arrived in Valencia with a different plan. And this time, restraint paid off. Just shy of his 29th birthday, he produced one of the finest performances of his career.
From the opening kilometers, the three pacers (Benson Tunyo, Francis Abong and Mako Ako) set a steady rhythm. A dense group forms: Korir, Sisay Lemma, Kipkoech, Kangogo, Dida, passing 5 km in 14:38. Just behind them, another large pack—featuring France’s Nicolas Navarro—goes through in 14:48.
At 10 km, the leaders hit 29:17, slightly behind course-record pace. But with temperatures already rising, that conservative start would prove decisive.
➜ A Controlled First Half… Before an Explosive Move
The lead pack rolls through the half-marathon in 1:01:46, more than a minute off record schedule. This is precisely when Korir shows how well he learned from Chicago: no wild surges, no world-record gambles—just total composure. At 25 km, the pacers peel off… and Korir launches.
➜ Kilometers 25–30: The Turning Point
In just five kilometers, Korir blows the race wide open: +35 seconds on the chasers. Lemma—the 2023 winner and course record holder (2:01:48)—completely cracks. The pack disintegrates behind Korir’s relentless, stable, almost surgical efficiency. Thousands of spectators lining the course witness a masterclass.
➜ A Legendary Finish
Under increasingly warm sunshine, Korir keeps accelerating. The negative split is unfolding. He charges onto the iconic blue carpet and stops the clock at 2:02:24. A 20-second PB, making him the 8th-fastest performer in history.
His splits are textbook perfection: First half: 1:01:47. Second half: 1:00:37. One of the most tactically brilliant races ever run in Valencia.
“I’m over the moon. I got the win and ran a career best. After my DNF in Chicago, I chose to believe in myself and immediately set a goal to rebuild for Valencia. My main objective today was the win, but I knew that would likely take me to a very fast time. I couldn’t ask for more. The crowd was unbelievable—they carried me to victory.”
John Korir
➜ A Cascade of Records Behind Him
Amanal Petros smashes the German record with 2:04:03, becoming the third-fastest European in history. Awet Kibrab (Norway) runs a brilliant 2:04:24 for third place—an exceptional debut. Awet Kibrab (Norway) runs a brilliant 2:04:24 for third place—an exceptional debut. Suguru Osako takes fourth in 2:04:55, breaking the Japanese national record by one second. Sisay Lemma, one of the race favorites, was struck by vomiting mid-race and imploded in the heat, finishing in 2:08:57, far from his usual level.
The performance of the day behind Korir?
Alex Yee.
The British triathlon Olympic champion storms to 2:06:38, finishing 7th and becoming the second-fastest Briton ever, behind Sir Mo Farah (2:05:11). A monumental performance confirming his world-class endurance.
Tom Evans—2025 UTMB champion—ultimately chose not to start, opting for rest and family time before the 2026 season.
➜ Top 10 — Men
1. John Korir (Kenya) – 2:02:24
2. Amanal Petros (Germany) – 2:04:03
3. Awet Kibrab (Norway) – 2:04:24
4. Suguru Osako (Japan) – 2:04:55
5. Gashau Ayale (Israel) – 2:05:29
6. Justus Kangogo (Kenya) – 2:06:11
7. Alex Yee (United Kingdom) – 2:06:38
8. Félix Bour (France) – 2:06:41
9. Filmon Tesfu (Netherlands) – 2:06:42
10. Gemechu Dida (Ethiopia) – 2:06:45
| French Men Shine
Despite the heat, the French contingent delivered fireworks:
Félix Bour runs a PB by 4 seconds: 2:06:41 (8th place). Valentin Gondouin obliterates his PB with 2:07:55. Nicolas Navarro, not on a good day, still guts out a 2:09:22. Bastien Augusto debuts with a blistering 2:09:36. Jason Pointeau breaks 2:10 with 2:09:53. French legend Driss El Himer, now 51, finishes in 2:29:09. He still ranks as the 6th-fastest French marathoner ever (2:06:48, Paris 2003).
| Joyciline Jepkosgei Dominates — Course Record Destroyed & World-Leading Time
The women’s race was equally electric. After a very fast start (5 km in 16:16), only a handful of elites manage to hang onto the lead group supported by pacers and male amateurs. Early on, Amane Beriso, the course record holder, drops.
The expected duel emerges: Peres Jepchirchir vs. Joyciline Jepkosgei.
Half-Marathon: Historic Pace
They pass halfway in 1:06:34, 44 seconds ahead of course-record pace.
36 km: The Decisive Move
When the group finally cracks, Jepkosgei takes control behind the last pacer. Jepchirchir—only three months after winning Worlds in Tokyo—can no longer respond. Jepkosgei flies toward the blue carpet and stops the clock in 2:14:00, 4th-fastest woman in history, Fastest time in the world this year and New Valencia course record
Jepchirchir follows in a sensational 2:14:43, a PB that makes her the 6th-fastest woman ever. Belgium’s Chloé Herbiet destroys a 23-year-old national record with 2:20:38. Finland’s Alisa Vainio and Australia’s Jessica Stenson also break their national records.
Top 10 — Women
1. Joyciline Jepkosgei (Kenya) – 2:14:00
2. Peres Jepchirchir (Kenya) – 2:14:43
3. Chloé Herbiet (Belgium) – 2:20:38
4. Alisa Vainio (Finland) – 2:20:48
5. Jessica Stenson (Australia) – 2:21:24
6. Glenrose Xaba (South Africa) – 2:23:22
7. Isobel Batt-Doyle (Australia) – 2:23:35
8. Lonah Salpeter (Israel) – 2:23:45
9. Meritxell Soler (Spain) – 2:23:49
10. Natasha Wilson (United Kingdom) – 2:24:21
“I’m so excited. I can’t believe I’ve won here. Valencia always brings me good luck—I set a half-marathon world record here years ago. I’m delighted to have improved my PB by such a large margin.”
Joyciline Jepkosgei
| French Women Impress
The French team leaves with a string of PBs: Inès Hamoudi crushes her PB by nearly four minutes: 2:27:36 (Top 20). Héloïse Laigle, in her marathon debut, runs a superb 2:28:04. Émilie Jacquot-Claude finishes in 2:32:06. Manon Coste drops nearly 10 minutes: 2:32:46. Augustine Emeraux also PBs: 2:34:06. Anaïs Quemener, just 10 months after giving birth, returns with an impressive 2:37:48. A spectacular day for French women’s distance running.
Valencia by the Numbers — A Marathon of Extreme Depth
- 4 athletes under 2:05
- 32 athletes under 2:10
- 148 athletes under 2:20
- 507 athletes under 2:30
- 5,283 runners under 3 hours (16.9%)
- 30,523 finishers total
With a historic negative split, national records falling everywhere, a fierce women’s duel, and exceptional French performances, the 2025 Valencia Marathon stands as one of the most impressive and dense marathons ever staged. Valencia once again proves its status as the World Capital of Performance. Despite warmer-than-usual conditions, the show was spectacular. Joyciline Jepkosgei and John Korir confirmed their status as global marathon superstars. The future belongs to them.
✔ Find all the results from the 2025 Valencia Marathon
Clément LABORIEUX
Journaliste