Kenya’s Lawrence Cherono and Nancy Jelagat took the top honors at the 41st edition of the Valencia Marathon that was held today December 5th in Valencia, Spain.
Cherono was forced into a sprint finish but he was too good with his feet as he out-sprinted Chalu Deso from Ethiopia to cut the tape in 2:05.12.
The 33 year-old was followed closely by Deso who crossed the line four seconds later.
Philemon Kachjeran from Kenya closed the first three podium finishes in 2:05.19. The race favorite and former world half marathon record holder Geoffrey Kamworor finished a disappointing fourth in 2:05.23. Ethiopia’s Abebe Negewo finished in fifth in 2:05.27.
Jelagat completed a Kenyan double in Valencia as she won the women's race with a huge personal best of 2:19.31 as she joined the 2:19 club from 2:36.22 that she got at the 2015 Taipei Marathon.
The Kenyan was followed by Etagegnl Woldu from Ethiopia who crossed the line in 2:20.16. Beyenu Degefa also from Ethiopia closed the first three podium finishes in 2:23.04.
Ethiopia’s Rahma Tusa and Fionnuala Mccormack from Ireland finished in fourth and fifth place in 2:23.20 and 2:23.58 respectively.
LEADING RESULTS
42KM MEN:
1.Lawrence Cherono (KEN) 2:05.12
2.Chalu Deso (ETH) 2:05.16
3.Philemon Kachjeran (KEN) 2:05.19
4.Geoffrey Kamworor (KEN) 2:05.23
5.Abebe Negewo (ETH) 2:05.27
42KM WOMEN:
1.Nancy Jelegat (KEN) 2:19.31
2.Etagegnl Woldu (KEN) 2:20.16
3.Beyenu Degefa (ETH) 2:23.04
4.Rahma Tusa (ETH) 2:23.20
5.Fionnuala Mccormac (IRE) 2:23.58