<\/p>\n
The Valencia Half Marathon Trinidad Alfonso Zurich<\/strong> 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<\/strong>, clocking 58:16, holds the best mark among the entire men\u2019s squad that will contend for victory in Spain\u2019s premier half marathon and one of the fastest in the world.<\/p>\n 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\u2019t be alone because alongside him will be contenders such as the Kenyan Owen Korir<\/strong> (58:58) or two Ethiopians who already know what it\u2019s like to race Valencia, Jemal Yimer<\/strong> (58:33) and Tadese Worku<\/strong> (58:35). Along with them will also be Daniel Ebenyo<\/strong> (59:04), Andrea Kiptoo<\/strong> (59:11), Alex Matata<\/strong> (59:11) and the Spaniard Thierry Ndikumwenayo<\/strong> (59:42).<\/p>\n 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<\/strong>, con 27:10 tambi\u00e9n en los diez kil\u00f3metros.<\/p>\n In the women\u2019s race, Ethiopian Tsigie Gebreselama<\/strong> (1:04:21) returns to Valencia after winning in Lisbon in 2025 and 2026, who will have as rivals her compatriot Ftaw Zerai<\/strong> (1:05:12), winner of this year\u2019s Paris Half; and Kenyan Daisilah Jerono<\/strong> (1:05:21). Not to be overlooked is Veronica Loleo<\/strong> (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<\/strong> (1:06:16), who also took silver in Denmark albeit in the 5K. Additionally, after motherhood, the Ethiopian Yalemzerf Yehualaw<\/strong> (1:03:51) will return.<\/p>\n The lineup of national runners, as noted earlier, is led by Rodrigue Kwizera followed by Thierry Ndikumwenayo. The Mechaal brothers<\/strong> will also be there, as both Said Mechaal (1:00:24) and Adel (1:02:30) will take the start on Tarongers Avenue.<\/p>\n In the women\u2019s race, Carla Gallardo<\/strong> 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<\/strong> (1:08:50), returning to a major competition, and the former hurdler Irene S\u00e1nchez-Escribano<\/strong>, with 1:09:10.<\/p>\n Para Jos\u00e9 Antonio Redolat, <\/strong>seleccionador de la \u00e9lite espa\u00f1ola del Medio Marat\u00f3n Valencia, explica que \u201cestamos encantados de contar con este listado de atletas espa\u00f1oles, del que esperamos grandes marcas, y en el cual estamos en disposici\u00f3n de luchar por ambos r\u00e9cords de Espa\u00f1a\u201d.<\/p>\n \u201cDespu\u00e9s del mundial de ruta en Copenhague, Valencia re\u00fane de nuevo a los atletas m\u00e1s r\u00e1pidos del mundo en busca de revanchas y nuevas marcas personales, especialmente entre las chicas\u201d, se\u00f1ala Marc Roig, seleccionador de la \u00e9lite internacional de la prueba.<\/p>\n<\/div>\nThe Spaniards Will Have Much to Say<\/h2>\n