Ethiopian half marathon record holder, Yalemzerf Yehualaw is set to face the 5000m and 10k world record holder, Letesenbet Gidey, in Sundays Valencia Half Marathon, with the Ethiopian duo expected to set the stage alight.
The well experienced Yalemzerf is the first woman in history to run a half marathon in under 65 minutes. She ran the Northern Ireland’s Antrim Coast Half Marathon in 63: 43 at the end of August, and has been representing Ethiopia in various continental races particularly, half marathon races.
In 2019, she debuted with a time of 1:10:26 in Rabat and improved it to 1:06.01 in New Delhi that same year. She also won the Great Ethiopian run 10k race setting a course record of 31:55.
Vying for the same title, Letesenbet Gidey, a record holder herself in the 5000m and 10,000 meter races, will have a say in the race. At the Ethiopian Olympic trials in Hengelo in June, Letesenbet set a 10k world record of 29:01.03, in which Yalemzerf came in fourth, in 30:20.77.
Both athletes are members of the NN Running Team and both are represented by Jos Hermens Global Sports Communication agency, but have different agents and coaches.
Elsewhere, alongside Letesenbet and Yalemzerf, Genzebe Dibaba is also set to take part in tomorrow’s half marathon. Genzebe made a successful half marathon debut clocking in at 64: 51.
The Valencia Marathon is an annual marathon road running event hosted by Valencia, Spain since 1981. It is categorized as a Platinum Label Road Race by World Athletics. The marathon is ranked number one amongst marathons in the Spanish Road Races Ranking.
