Sports
Valencia Half Marathon Delivers Fast Times and Historic Marks
Over 25,000 finishers crossed the line in Spain, while the Brazilian running community mourned a tragic loss.
The Valencia Half Marathon once again proved why it is considered one of the fastest road races in the world. Alongside historic performances in both the men's and women's elite fields, the running community mourned the tragic passing of a Brazilian athlete.
The Valencia Half Marathon reaffirmed its reputation as one of the fastest races in the world. Over 25,700 runners crossed the finish line in an edition marked by fierce competition and impressive performances on the Spanish asphalt.
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Women's elite sets historic marks
The women's race saw an exceptionally fast pace. Sheila Chepkirui took the victory with a time of 1:03:51, setting the world-leading mark for 2026 and the seventh fastest in the distance's history. The finish came down to the wire: Diana Wanza crossed the line just 1 second later in second place. Daisyla Jerono completed the women's podium in 1:04:11.
The depth of the women's elite field stood out for its collective strength: all top 10 finishers completed the race in under 1:05:40.
Close battle in the men's race
Among the men, Rodrigue Kwizera claimed first place, finishing the course in 58:03. The contest remained tight down to the final meters, with Thierry Ndikumwenayo taking second in 58:09 and Victor Kipruto rounding out the podium in third with a time of 58:16.
Start times and the debate over heat
Weather conditions and start times for European races were also in the spotlight. Because several European half marathons tend to start later in the morning, higher temperatures along the route have drawn concern from organizers and athletes. This thermal factor in road races is expected to receive increased scrutiny from World Athletics within a division dedicated to mass-participation events.
Mourning in the Brazilian running community
Despite the outstanding athletic results, the event had a tragic ending for Brazilian sports. Brazilian runner Vitória Silveira of the Companhia dos Cavalos training group—who had finished as the second-fastest Brazilian woman in the race—passed away in Barcelona approximately 24 hours after completing the half marathon.
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