Valencia Marathon 2025 results: Kenyan double for Jepkosgei and Korir as Yee stars for Brits

Kenyan duo Joyciline Jepkosgei and John Korir powered to the respective titles at the Valencia Marathon in Spain on Sunday morning.

Jepkosgei had an absorbing battle with compatriot Peres Jepchirchir in the women’s race, just getting the better of her in the closing kilometres in what was a quickest-of-the-year time of 2:14:00.

Meanwhile Korir, the reigning Boston Marathon champion and winner of the 2024 Chicago Marathon, eased clear in the second half of the men’s race to win in 2:02:24, nearly two minutes clear of his rivals.

And it was also a landmark day for Olympic triathlon champion Alex Yee who became the second-fastest Briton of all time as he clocked 2:06:38 in what was only his second ever marathon.

Women’s race – Kenyan duel

Four women pulled clear in the early stages, with current World and former Olympic champion Jepchirchir and Jepkosgei running alongside Ethiopian pair Amane Beriso and Fikrte Wereta.

But as early as the 10km mark it was the two Kenyans who had gapped the others by 16 seconds.

And they went further and further clear – at 25km Jepchirchir and Jepkosgei were locked together as they headed over the timing mat in 1:18:58, with third-placed Wereta at 1:21:23.

Approaching the 35km point Jepchirchir nudged clear and there was a lovely sporting gesture when she handed her bottle to Jepkosgei after she had missed her one at the aid station.

But it was Jepkosgei who would prove strongest when it mattered, gradually putting distance between them and stopping the clock in exactly 2:14:00, 43 seconds to the good and the pair way clear of their rivals.

“I’m so excited to win here,” said a delighted Jepkosgei. “It means so much to be to close the season with what is the fastest time of the year. I felt strong.”

Men’s race – Korir bounces back

Korir led the way from early on behind his three pacemakers but it wasn’t until the second half of the race that he started to shake off his rivals one by one.

Sisay Lemma (ETH), the 2023 Valencia winner, was the first to lose touch and Justus Kangogo (KEN), Hillary Kipkoech (KEN) and Gemechu Dida (ETH) were then 35 seconds back when Korir went through 30km in 1:27:31.

It was one-way traffic after that as Korir bounced back brilliantly from Chicago Marathon disappointment three months ago with a stunning negative split – 1:01:46 for the first half and then 1:00:38 for the second.

As the others dropped away it was Amanal Petros (GER) who came through for second in a national record time of 2:04:03, with Awet Kibrab (NOR) rounding out the podium in third in 2:04:24.

Although he did not reach the podium, Japan’s Suguru Osako achieved a national record with 2:04:55 in fourth.

And there was a sensational display by triathlon superstar Yee who paced his race to perfection to cross the line in 2:06:36 which means the great Sir Mo Farah is the only Briton faster than him over 26.2 miles. Click here for more details on Yee’s race.

Yee’s training partner Phil Sesemann also shaved a few seconds off his PB with 2:07:11 in 13th, the pair having been paced by last year’s Olympic marathon fourth Emile Cairess.

Valencia Marathon 2025 results

Sunday 7 December, 26.2 miles / 42.2 kilometres

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