The Valencia Trinidad Alfonso Zurich Half Marathon 2024, held on October 27, 2024, went ahead despite the cold and intermittent rain.
The race was a true showcase by Yomif Kejelcha and debutant Agnes Jebet Ngetich.
Ethiopian Yomif Kejelcha set a new world record, breaking away from his pursuers Daniel Mateiko and Weldon Langat at the 15-kilometer mark and crossing the finish line with an official time of 57:30.
He broke Jacob Kiplimo’s 57:31, set in Lisbon, which had taken Valencia’s record by just one second.
The previous record being Kibiwot Kandie’s 57:32 in 2020.
Kaoutar Boulaid won the Spanish women’s record with a time of 1:08:47, surpassing the previous record held by Laura Luengo, who also attempted to achieve it, running with the lead group until the final part of the course, where Irene Sánchez-Escribano also experienced a fall.
Thierry Ndikumwenayo came very close to the Spanish men’s record.
As he reached the last roundabout before the final stretch, it was clear he was going to be close, but he finished in 59:42, a very good time for a debutant, though 3 seconds shy of Carlos Mayo’s time from last year.
