Valencia marathon breaks records and is shown across the world

This year’s Trinidad Alfonso Valencia Marathon has been bigger and better than ever.

With a record 16,500 competitors running, and more than 8,500 in the 10-kilometre race, the event raised €14,466 for the Active Spina Bifida Association of Valencia. A euro was donated for every runner that managed to cross the finish line by the Trinidad Alfonso Foundation, and it was the most spectacular and fastest-run race in Spanish history.

The event started off with a minute’s silence, with participants showing their support for the French people and victims of the recent terrorist attacks, before more than 16,500 runners took to the streets of Valencia.

Kenyan athlete John Mwangangi has written his name in golden letters in the history of the Trinidad Alfonso Valencia Marathon, pulverising the record previously held by Kipkemoi Felix Keny of 2h06.13 with a time of one minute and one second less, the fastest time recorded on Spanish soil for a marathon. In fact, the top three finishers, which included Matthew Kisorio and Felix Kandie, who came in third position, managed to beat the previous track record.

Meanwhile, female Namibian runner Beata Naigambo also beat the best time in the female category taking three seconds off the best time of the circuit, and the record of the Valencia marathon with a time of 2:26.58.

Record times were also recorded in the 10-kilometre races, both in the men’s and women’s categories. Michel Bett beat the previous year’s record by 13 seconds, and managed the best time ever for the circuit, while Vitalyne Bikii triumphed in the women’s. 

The event was televised worldwide and has become a major success for the city as an important sporting event.