The Valencia Half Marathon Trinidad Alfonso Zurich is finalizing the details for its 35th edition to be held on October 25. An edition in which, for the first time since the official distance of 21.097 km was adopted, it becomes possible for a Spaniard to win. And the athlete Rodrigue Kwizera, clocking 58:16, holds the best mark among the entire men’s squad that will contend for victory in Spain’s premier half marathon and one of the fastest in the world.
However, Kwizera, who already finished second in 2025, will not be fighting for the win alone; he will also be chasing the European record. He won’t be alone because alongside him will be contenders such as the Kenyan Owen Korir (58:58) or two Ethiopians who already know what it’s like to race Valencia, Jemal Yimer (58:33) and Tadese Worku (58:35). Along with them will also be Daniel Ebenyo (59:04), Andrea Kiptoo (59:11), Alex Matata (59:11) and the Spaniard Thierry Ndikumwenayo (59:42).
No hay que perder de vista tampoco a dos debutantes que pueden dar mucho que hablar: Maxime Chaumeton, que posee 26:55 en 10K, y Victor Kipruto, con 27:10 también en los diez kilómetros.
In the women’s race, Ethiopian Tsigie Gebreselama (1:04:21) returns to Valencia after winning in Lisbon in 2025 and 2026, who will have as rivals her compatriot Ftaw Zerai (1:05:12), winner of this year’s Paris Half; and Kenyan Daisilah Jerono (1:05:21). Not to be overlooked is Veronica Loleo (1:05:35), who finished third in Valencia in 2025 and who earned silver in the half marathon at the recent Copenhagen World Championships, as well as Caroline Gitonga (1:06:16), who also took silver in Denmark albeit in the 5K. Additionally, after motherhood, the Ethiopian Yalemzerf Yehualaw (1:03:51) will return.
The Spaniards Will Have Much to Say
The lineup of national runners, as noted earlier, is led by Rodrigue Kwizera followed by Thierry Ndikumwenayo. The Mechaal brothers will also be there, as both Said Mechaal (1:00:24) and Adel (1:02:30) will take the start on Tarongers Avenue.
In the women’s race, Carla Gallardo will be among the contenders; she is in excellent form and continues to break national records, holding the half marathon record at 1:08:30 and the 10K record at 31:11; Laura Luengo (1:08:50), returning to a major competition, and the former hurdler Irene Sánchez-Escribano, with 1:09:10.
Para José Antonio Redolat, seleccionador de la élite española del Medio Maratón Valencia, explica que “estamos encantados de contar con este listado de atletas españoles, del que esperamos grandes marcas, y en el cual estamos en disposición de luchar por ambos récords de España”.
“Después del mundial de ruta en Copenhague, Valencia reúne de nuevo a los atletas más rápidos del mundo en busca de revanchas y nuevas marcas personales, especialmente entre las chicas”, señala Marc Roig, seleccionador de la élite internacional de la prueba.