On December 1st, Valencia will host one of the most important events in the World Athletics calendar, the Valencia Marathon. Famous for being already the fourth fastest marathon in the world, this sporting event celebrating its 44th edition has grown exponentially in popularity, consolidating itself as one of the unmissable events for elite and amateur runners. This year, moreover, the expectation is greater than ever as the organization has announced a prize of 1 million euros for whoever manages to beat the world record -both male and female-, which has raised the profile of this race even more.
The Valencia Marathon is currently the fourth fastest marathon in the world, behind only Berlin, London and Chicago. This reputation has meant that, as in previous editions, the race bibs have sold out quickly. This year, all 35,000 race bibs available were sold in February, more than nine months in advance, a reflection of the interest generated by this competition not only in Spain, but also internationally.
AN UNPRECEDENTED PRIZE: 1 MILLION EUROS
The great attraction of this year’s edition is the million-euro prize that will be awarded if the marathon world record is broken. Currently, the men’s record is 2:00:35, set by the sadly deceased Kelvin Kiptum at the 2023 Chicago Marathon, while the women’s record is 2:09:57, set recently by Ruth Chepngetich at the 2024 Chicago Marathon. If any runner in Valencia manages to beat these marks, he or she will not only get the glory, but also an extraordinary financial reward.
This incentive is no coincidence. The Valencian marathon has been the scene of numerous national records all over the world, both in the men’s and women’s categories. The city’s conditions, mild climate and flat course make Valencia an ideal place for athletes looking to improve their personal best times. As a result, more than 100 countries will be represented at the start, which will take place in the now iconic Plaza del Maratón.
A CITY THAT BREATHES SPORT
Support for the Valencia Marathon comes not only from the running community, but also from important business figures such as Juan Roig, president of the Spanish supermarket chain Mercadona. Roig -brother of Fernando Roig, president and owner of Villarreal CF and the international company Pamesa– is one of the main promoters of the race and the one who has put the aforementioned prize of 1 million euros on the table. His commitment to sport in Spain is best known through ‘his’ Valencia Basket and because he supports numerous sports initiatives through the Trinidad Alfonso Foundation, an entity that also collaborates closely in the organization of the marathon.
