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Valencia, Spain — October 26, 2025 - The 2025 Valencia Half Marathon Trinidad Alfonso Zurich once again lived up to its global reputation as the fastest half marathon on Earth. The flat, coastal course produced extraordinary performances from both the men’s and women’s elite fields — highlighted by Sweden’s Andreas Almgren becoming the first European ever to break 59 minutes, and Kenya’s Agnes Jebet Ngetich clocking the second-fastest women’s time in history.

MEN’S RACE: ALMGREN MAKES HISTORY AS KEJELCHA DOMINATES

Ethiopia’s Yomif Kejelcha retained his Valencia title with a blistering 58:02, further cementing his place among the all-time greats. Though it was outside the current world record of 56:42, set earlier this year by Uganda’s Jacob Kiplimo at the Barcelona Half Marathon, Kejelcha’s effort was commanding from start to finish.

Running in his slipstream, Rodrigue Kwizera of Burundi and Brian Kibor of Kenya both crossed in 58:39, but the day’s biggest breakthrough came from Sweden’s Andreas Almgren, who stormed home in 58:41 — a stunning new European record.

The 29-year-old Almgren shattered the previous continental best of 59:13, set by Julien Wanders in 2019, and became the first European athlete in history to dip under the 59-minute barrier.

“This means everything,” Almgren said after the finish. “I came to Valencia knowing it was the place for fast times, but to run 58:41 — it’s beyond my dreams. Europe is back in the game.”

Kejelcha went out hard with early splits suggesting another sub-58 performance might be possible, hitting 10K in around 27:13. Slight headwinds in the final kilometers kept him just off world-record pace, but his margin of control was never in doubt.

WOMEN’S RACE: NGETICH CLOSES IN ON THE WORLD RECORD

Kenya’s Agnes Jebet Ngetich produced yet another masterpiece on the streets of Valencia, winning the women’s title in 1:03:08, the second-fastest time ever recorded for the half marathon. Only Letesenbet Gidey’s world record of 1:02:52, also set in Valencia in 2021, stands ahead of her on the all-time list.

Ngetich went out aggressively, passing 10K in 29:28, well inside world-record pace. But a headwind over the final five kilometers cost her valuable seconds. Despite missing the record, her performance once again showcased her dominance and her special connection with the streets of Valencia, where she has repeatedly delivered career-defining runs.

“Valencia brings out the best in me,” Ngetich said. “I felt strong, and even though I missed the record, I know it’s within reach. I’ll be back.”

Ethiopia’s Fotyen Tesfay took second in 1:05:11, while Kenya’s Veronica Loleo ran a superb personal best of 1:05:46 to finish third. The top performances underscored the remarkable depth and quality in women’s distance running today.

RACE CONDITIONS AND COURSE

Cool temperatures, light humidity, and minimal wind set the stage for another record-friendly day in Valencia. The famously flat and fast course — celebrated for its long straightaways and sea-level setting — once again proved why it’s the go-to destination for athletes chasing lifetime bests and global marks.

Pacemakers set an aggressive tempo from the start in both races, and despite minor breezes in the final stretch, the results confirmed that Valencia remains the gold standard for road racing worldwide.

TOP RESULTS

Men’s Elite Results

1. Yomif Kejelcha (Ethiopia) – 58:02

2. Rodrigue Kwizera (Burundi) – 58:39

3. Brian Kibor (Kenya) – 58:39

4. Andreas Almgren (Sweden) – 58:41 (European Record)

5. Milkesa Mengesha (Ethiopia) – 59:12

6. Boniface Kibiwott (Kenya) – 59:16

7. Sebastian Sawe (Kenya) – 59:22

8. Mohamed Essa (Morocco) – 59:45

9. Tadese Worku (Ethiopia) – 59:58

10. Gabriel Geay (Tanzania) – 1:00:02

Women’s Elite Results

1. Agnes Jebet Ngetich (Kenya) – 1:03:08 (Second-fastest time ever)

2. Fotyen Tesfay (Ethiopia) – 1:05:11

3. Veronica Loleo (Kenya) – 1:05:46 (Personal Best)

4. Irine Cheptai (Kenya) – 1:06:03

5. Melat Kejeta (Germany) – 1:06:37

6. Viola Chepngeno (Kenya) – 1:06:44

7. Tsige Haileslase (Ethiopia) – 1:06:56

8. Eilish McColgan (Great Britain) – 1:07:09

9. Selly Chepyego (Kenya) – 1:07:16

10. Marta Galimany (Spain) – 1:08:21

WHY VALENCIA CONTINUES TO INSPIRE THE WORLD

For more than a decade, Valencia has been the epicenter of half-marathon excellence. From Gidey’s women’s world record in 2021, to Kandie’s men’s mark in 2020, to Kejelcha’s near-record runs and now Almgren’s European breakthrough — the course has become synonymous with speed and history.

This year’s edition reinforced three powerful truths about modern distance running:

1. Yomif Kejelcha remains one of the greatest half-marathon specialists of all time.

2. Agnes Jebet Ngetich has brought women’s road racing to new heights, now sitting just seconds shy of a world record.

3. Andreas Almgren’s European record symbolizes a resurgent era for European endurance running.

FINAL SUMMARY

Event: 2025 Valencia Half Marathon Trinidad Alfonso Zurich

Date: October 26, 2025

Location: Valencia, Spain

Men’s Champion: Yomif Kejelcha (Ethiopia) – 58:02

Women’s Champion: Agnes Jebet Ngetich (Kenya) – 1:03:08 (Second-fastest ever)

European Record: Andreas Almgren (Sweden) – 58:41

At just 19, Sha’Carri Richardson looked like a star destined to take over the sprinting world.

The speed was undeniable. In 2019, she announced herself on the collegiate stage with a 10.75-second NCAA record in the 100 metres, combining explosive acceleration with a fearless personality and a distinctive style that made her impossible to ignore.

She was young, confident and unapologetically herself.

But the road to becoming a champion was about to become far more complicated than anyone could have imagined.

In 2021, Richardson won the women’s 100m at the U.S. Olympic Trials in 10.86 seconds and appeared set for her Olympic debut.

Then everything changed.

A positive test for THC resulted in a one-month suspension, which ultimately ruled her out of the Tokyo Olympic 100m. USADA confirmed that Richardson accepted the sanction, which began on June 28, 2021.

The episode came at an especially difficult moment in her life. Richardson had publicly spoken about grieving the death of her biological mother and the emotional circumstances surrounding that period.

For an athlete who had seemed destined for Olympic glory, Tokyo became a painful chapter instead.

But it did not become the final chapter.

Richardson returned to the track with something to prove — not simply to the critics, but to herself.

The comeback became a championship story

In 2023, Richardson transformed her comeback into one of the defining performances of her career.

At the World Championships in Budapest, she won the 100m world title in 10.65 seconds, setting a championship record and defeating a field that included some of the greatest sprinters of her generation. World Athletics lists 10.65 as Richardson’s legal personal best, recorded on August 21, 2023.

She did not stop there.

Richardson also helped the United States win the women’s 4x100m relay gold in Budapest, adding another world title to a season that had completely changed the narrative surrounding her career.

The teenager who had once been celebrated for her raw talent was now a world champion.

Paris brought Olympic medals

A year later, Richardson arrived at the Paris 2024 Olympics carrying expectations of another major championship performance.

She delivered.

Richardson won silver in the individual 100m and then anchored the United States to gold in the women’s 4x100m relay. World Athletics records her as an Olympic champion and Olympic silver medallist.

The Olympic gold was particularly significant.

After missing Tokyo, Richardson had returned to the biggest stage in the sport and left Paris as an Olympic champion.

Her journey had gone from disappointment to the highest step of the podium.

2026: Still winning, still evolving

Richardson's story continued into 2026, and she closed the season in emphatic fashion at ATHLOS London.

On September 18 at StoneX Stadium, she won the 100m in 10.80 seconds with no wind assistance, finishing well clear of New Zealand's Zoe Hobbs, who ran 11.19. The performance was also an ATHLOS meeting record.

It was another reminder that Richardson remains one of the defining personalities of modern sprinting.

But the most compelling part of her journey cannot be measured entirely in seconds.

It is the evolution behind the performances.

The young sprinter who entered the global spotlight with enormous confidence has experienced public criticism, disappointment, grief, triumph and the enormous pressure that comes with being one of the world's most recognizable athletes.

Through it all, she has continued to shape her identity on her own terms.

Her story is no longer simply about speed.

It is about resilience, reinvention and the ability to return after a moment that could have permanently changed the direction of a career.

From a teenage sensation running 10.75 to a world champion running 10.65.

From missing the Tokyo Olympics to winning Olympic gold in Paris.

From one of the most difficult periods of her young career to becoming an established global sprint star.

Sha’Carri Richardson did not simply return to the track.

She returned with a different perspective, a bigger résumé and a story that belongs to her.

And perhaps that is the most powerful transformation of all: not becoming someone different, but growing into a stronger version of the person she always wanted to be.

European Athletics has announced a record €3.5 million prize-money fund for the Silesia 2028 European Athletics Championships, significantly raising the financial rewards available to athletes competing for continental honours.

The expanded prize pool will cover every one of the 50 event disciplines on the championships programme, with prize money awarded to athletes finishing inside the top eight. The move represents a major commitment to rewarding performances across the full range of championship events.

Individual event winners will receive €30,000, while silver medallists will earn €15,000 and bronze medallists €10,000. Athletes finishing fourth will receive €5,000, with €4,000 for fifth, €3,000 for sixth, €2,000 for seventh and €1,000 for eighth.

The prize-money structure ensures that athletes who reach the final and finish among the leading eight will receive financial recognition for their performances, extending rewards beyond the medal positions.

Relay athletes will also be included in the prize-money programme, although the allocated prize will be shared among members of the respective team.

The Silesia 2028 championships will therefore offer athletes not only the opportunity to compete for European titles and medals, but also a substantial financial incentive throughout the competition. With a record €3.5 million available across the championships, European Athletics is placing greater emphasis on rewarding excellence across all 50 disciplines.

British middle-distance star Georgia Hunter Bell has brought her remarkable 2026 season to a memorable close — not beneath the lights of another championship stadium, but surrounded by runners, stories and the wider running community in London.

The Olympic medallist hosted an intimate run and brunch at Curve Club, bringing runners and fans together for an opportunity to share miles, exchange stories and celebrate a season that delivered some of the biggest moments of her career.

Hunter Bell’s 2026 campaign was anything but ordinary. Across 20 races, she navigated the intensity of elite competition while collecting three major championship gold medals and building another impressive chapter in her career. Her season ultimately concluded with a strong second-place finish in the mile at ATHLOS London.

Yet the final gathering was about far more than results and medals.

Away from the pressure of championship racing, Hunter Bell opened up about the defining moments of her season, the challenges that tested her along the way and the experiences that shaped her throughout the campaign. She also offered fans a glimpse into life inside the M11 Track Club training camps, providing an insight into the demanding work and experiences that often remain unseen beyond the finish line.

For Hunter Bell, the gathering also highlighted another important side of athletics — the sense of community that exists beyond elite competition. Sharing her experiences in a relaxed setting allowed her to connect with the people who follow her journey while celebrating the shared passion that brings runners together, whether they are chasing championship medals or simply enjoying another run with friends.

That perspective made the London gathering particularly meaningful. Elite athletics is often measured in times, places and medals, but Hunter Bell’s season-ending celebration highlighted the people, conversations and community that make running much bigger than competition alone.

From the intensity of major championship tracks to relaxed miles with fellow runners, Hunter Bell has shown that an athlete’s journey is not defined solely by what happens on race day.

After 20 races, three major championship titles and countless demanding miles, the British star can now look back on a season filled with triumphs, challenges and unforgettable experiences.

And what better way to close it than by sharing the journey with the running community? 

The road to marathon history will lead to Valencia on December 6, where the 2026 Valencia Marathon has put a staggering €1 million — approximately KSh 148.7 million — on the line for any athlete who breaks the official marathon world record on its fast Spanish streets.

According to the race's official 2026 regulations, the million-euro bonus is available separately for both the men's and women's world records. The target for men is 1:59:30, while the women's target is 2:09:56. Athletes must be officially entered in the race, and the performances must pass the required recognition and anti-doping procedures.

The men's benchmark was established by Kenya's Sabastian Sawe when he became the first man to officially break the two-hour barrier, running 1:59:30 at the 2026 London Marathon. Ethiopia's Yomif Kejelcha finished second that day in 1:59:41, becoming the second-fastest marathoner in history at the time and producing the fastest marathon debut ever.

On the women's side, the mark to beat remains Kenya's Ruth Chepngetich's 2:09:56, set at the 2024 Chicago Marathon. That performance made her the first woman to officially run under 2:10 for the marathon.

The enormous incentive is closely connected to the ambition of Valencia's running movement and the backing of businessman and philanthropist Juan Roig, whose Trinidad Alfonso Foundation has played a major role in supporting the marathon and the wider development of athletics in Valencia. Roig has previously spoken about the ambition of bringing the marathon world record to the city.

And the timing could hardly be more intriguing.

Kejelcha will return to Valencia for his second marathon, while defending champion John Korir of Kenya will be back after winning the 2025 edition in 2:02:24. The official elite announcement also includes Alexander Mutiso, Dawit Wolde and Nibret Melak, creating an exceptionally deep men's field.

Kejelcha arrives with a remarkable 1:59:41 from London, meaning he has already demonstrated the ability to sustain the extraordinary pace required to challenge the two-hour barrier. Korir, meanwhile, knows the Valencia course intimately and will be seeking to defend his title while chasing an even faster performance.

Valencia has earned its reputation as one of the world's fastest marathon destinations. Its course record currently stands at 2:01:48, set by Ethiopia's Sisay Lemma in 2023, while the 2025 edition saw Joyciline Jepkosgei run 2:14:00, the fastest women's marathon of that year.

With KSh 148 million-plus waiting for a successful world-record assault, a defending champion hungry for another victory and Kejelcha returning after coming within 11 seconds of the men's world record in London, Valencia is shaping up to be one of the most closely watched marathons of 2026.

On December 6, the question will be simple: will Valencia finally witness another marathon world record — and send one athlete home with a seven-figure euro cheque?

Few Olympic races have produced a story as bizarre, chaotic and brutal as the marathon at the 1904 Games in St. Louis.

Held on August 30, 1904, the race took place over roughly 40 kilometres in oppressive heat, on dusty country roads where passing automobiles stirred clouds of dust into the air. Water was extremely limited, and the combination of heat, hills, dehydration and poor race organization turned the event into an extraordinary test of survival.

Thirty-two runners started the marathon, but only 14 reached the finish. What happened along the way would eventually make the St. Louis marathon one of the most infamous races in Olympic history.

Among the strangest episodes was the story of American runner Frederick Lorz.

Lorz was initially celebrated as the winner after reaching the stadium first in 3:13:00. But the apparent victory quickly collapsed when officials discovered that he had been transported by automobile for a substantial portion of the course after suffering severe cramps. Accounts place the car ride at roughly 11 miles.

When the automobile eventually broke down, Lorz returned to the road and continued running. He crossed the finish line first, but his deception was uncovered almost immediately and he was disqualified. Lorz later described the incident as a joke rather than an attempt to claim the Olympic title.

That left Thomas Hicks as the official Olympic champion, but his journey to the gold medal was almost as extraordinary.

Hicks completed the marathon in 3:28:53, a time that remains the slowest winning performance in Olympic marathon history. Yet the number on the clock tells only part of the story.

As Hicks began to fade badly during the latter stages, his support team gave him a mixture containing strychnine and egg white, followed later by brandy. Strychnine was regarded at the time as a stimulant in very small quantities, although today it is recognized as a highly poisonous substance. There were no modern anti-doping rules at the 1904 Games to prohibit such treatment.

Hicks became increasingly exhausted and reportedly hallucinated during the closing stages. His condition deteriorated so badly that his trainers eventually helped carry him across the finish line while his legs continued moving beneath him.

Afterward, he needed medical attention before he was well enough to leave the stadium. The Olympic Museum records that four doctors were required to attend to him following the race.

Then there was Andarín Carvajal, the Cuban postman whose Olympic debut sounded more like an adventure than a marathon.

Carvajal arrived in St. Louis shortly before the race and had little of the equipment expected of a serious marathon runner. He competed in long trousers and a long-sleeved shirt, with the legs of his trousers cut down to make them more suitable for running.

Despite his unconventional preparation, Carvajal ran remarkably well and stayed among the leading competitors.

But hunger became a problem. Having gone for a long period without proper food, he stopped along the course and ate apples he found. Unfortunately, the fruit was rotten, leaving him with severe stomach cramps. At one point, he lay down beside the road and fell asleep.

Remarkably, he recovered, got back on his feet and continued running. Carvajal eventually finished fourth, an extraordinary result considering the conditions and the obstacles he encountered.

The race also marked an important moment in Olympic history for Africa.

Len Taunyane and Jan Mashiani, two South Africans of Tswana background, became the first Black Africans to compete at the Olympic Games. They were in St. Louis as part of a South African exhibition connected to the World's Fair and entered the marathon almost unexpectedly.

Historical accounts have long described the pair as running barefoot, although surviving photographs indicate that the footwear situation was more complicated, with at least one of them appearing to have shoes. Their names were also recorded inconsistently in contemporary reports.

Taunyane became part of one of the race's most extraordinary stories when he was reportedly chased off the course for about a mile by a wild dog. Despite the incident, he recovered and continued the race.

Taunyane finished ninth, while Mashiani placed 12th, making their appearances significant not only because of the bizarre circumstances but also because they represented an important milestone in Olympic history.

There were other dangers too. The roads were so dusty that the automobiles accompanying the runners created clouds of dust that made an already punishing race even more difficult. One American runner, William Garcia, reportedly collapsed after dust severely affected his throat and stomach, illustrating just how dangerous the conditions had become.

The 1904 St. Louis marathon was therefore unlike almost anything seen in modern distance running.

There were no sophisticated hydration stations, no carefully measured modern course, no sports science teams and no anti-doping regulations. Instead, runners faced extreme heat, dusty roads, limited water and primitive medical practices.

One athlete rode in a car. Another stopped to eat rotten fruit and fell asleep. Two pioneering African competitors endured an extraordinary race, with one reportedly being chased by a dog. And the eventual champion was administered a dangerous stimulant mixture before being helped across the finish line.

More than a century later, the St. Louis marathon remains a remarkable reminder of just how different Olympic distance running once was.

It was a marathon where survival sometimes seemed as important as speed—and where almost every mile produced another unbelievable chapter.