The Numbers Speak: 15 of the 20 Best Half-Marathon Times in Valencia

The Valencia Trinidad Alfonso Zurich Half Marathon has established itself as the world’s premier benchmark for speed over 21.097 kilometers. Not surprisingly: on its streets as many as four world records have been set, including the 1:02:52 by Letesenbet Gidey in 2021, which remains in force. But Valencia’s dominance goes far beyond world records: the race collects the historical rankings for both women’s and men’s categories.

 

 

 

 

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The latest edition has further reinforced that position. The Kenyan Sheila Chepkirui won this Sunday with a time of 1:03:51, the seventh-best mark in history, equaling the record achieved by Yalemzerf Yehualaw in Valencia in 2021. Just one second later, Diana Wanza crossed the finish line at 1:03:52, the ninth-best world mark. With these two performances, the Valencia Half Marathon gathers eight of the ten best times ever in the women’s category.

In the men’s race, organized by SD Correcaminos, there is likewise no rival in the historical standings. Although Yomif Kejelcha set a new world best in August, with 56:51, after also having set the Valencia record in 2024, the Valencian event preserves seven of the ten best marks of all time. In this edition, no new entry was added to the Top 10 for men, but the overall balance remains extraordinary.

“In the pre-race press conference I mentioned that continuing to push times into the top 10 of all time would be very difficult this year. However, Sheila and Diana exceeded expectations and achieved it. Valencia remains, if anything, the best half marathon in the world,” says Marc Roig, head coach of the international elite of the Valencia Half Marathon.

The 10 Best Marks in the History of the Women’s Half Marathon

The 10 Best Marks in the History of the Men’s Half Marathon