The Incredible Sabastian Sawe Wins the 2024 Valencia Marathon in His Debut

• Sabastian Sawe won the 2024 Valencia Marathon title with a world lead time of 2:02:05.
• Sawe was followed by Deresa Geleta of Ethiopia and Daniel Mateiko of Kenya, who clocked 2:02:38 and 2:04:23 respectively.
• Megertu Alemu of Ethiopia won the women’s title with a time of 2:16:49 ahead of Stella Chesang and Tiruye Mesfin.

Kenya’s Sabastian Sawe overcame a star-studded field to claim the 2024 Valencia Marathon title on Sunday afternoon in his debut.

Sawe ran the race in a calculated manner, sitting close to the front pack, before deciding to take control of proceedings in the final stages.

He went on to cut the record in a world timeout of 2:02:05, missing the current course record of 2:01:48 set by Ethiopia’s Sisay Lemma in the 2023 edition.

Second Fastest Debut for Sawe

Additionally, Sawe’s time was the second-fastest full marathon debut in history, several seconds slower than the time recorded by his late compatriot Kelvin Kiptum on the same course.

Kiptum, who died in a traffic accident earlier this year, clocked 2:01:53 in Valencia to win the 2022 title and then set the current world record of 2:00:35 in Chicago in October 2023.

Sawe’s brilliant performance on the streets of Spanish City made many marathon fans support him to do miracles in the future.

Speaking shortly after achieving the extraordinary feat, a delighted Sawe thanked God for the victory and described Valencia as an extraordinary City.

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“It was my first time, but luckily I won the race. The city of Valencia is a pleasant city. “I have recorded a great time today, my first PB, the best time for me and everything is fine,” he explained.

The 28 year old player also took the time to convey a message of hope to all the people affected by the floods in the area.

“I share my condolences for the tragedy that befell the people of Valencia. It’s really sad and for everyone, just pray for them, God grant them harmony and peace and everything will be fine. “I feel sorry for the people of Valencia,” said the runner from Kapsabet.

Sawe was followed by Deresa Geleta and Daniel Mateiko of Ethiopia, who clocked 2:02:38 and 2:04:23 respectively.

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Mateiko, who trains in Kaptagat with former world record holders Eliud Kipchoge and Faith Kipyegon, also made his debut.

Alemu Megertu Shines in the Women’s Category

In the women’s category, the prestigious title was won by experienced runner from Ethiopia Megertu Alemu who managed to cross the finish line in 2:16:49.

The 27-year-old was followed by Uganda’s Stella Chesang, who showed steely nerve to improve her national record to 2:18:26.

Alemu’s compatriot Tiruye Mesfin clocked a lifetime best of 2:18:35 to complete the podium positions in a race that featured Kenya’s sole representative in Evaline Chirchir, finishing fourth in a personal best time of 2:20:33.

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