Valencia has announced the first names for its elite field for the Valencia Marathon Trinidad Alfonso Zurich on Sunday 6 December, and the headline signing is Ethiopia's Yomif Kejelcha. He will run his second marathon after a 1:59:41 debut in London, and organisers describe him and compatriot Fotyen Tesfay as the leading favourites.
Tesfay arrives with a personal best of 2:10:52, a time that ranks among the quickest ever run by a woman. Joyciline Jepkosgei, the 2025 women's winner, returns to defend her title with a best of 2:14:00, set in Valencia last year. Emily Sisson, the American record holder at 2:18:29, and Finland's national record holder Alisa Vainio (2:20:39) are also confirmed.
The men's field has depth behind Kejelcha. John Korir, the 2025 winner, returns with a 2:02:24 personal best also set on the Valencia course, while Alexander Mutiso (2:03:11), Dawit Wolde (2:03:48), Nibret Melak (2:04:00), Leul Gebreselassie (2:04:02) and Awet Kibrab (2:04:24) complete the leading group.
Elite coordinator Marc Roig has said victory in Valencia is unpredictable and that defending the title will be very difficult given the quality of the entries. Winnie Jepkosgei is down to make her marathon debut, and Lilian Kasait (2:19:35) and Aberu Ayana (2:20:20) add further strength to the women's race.
Organisers expect more men targeting fast times and national records to be added, and at least one more world-class woman is due to be announced this autumn, with the full line-up promised in October. Given Valencia's reputation for quick times, the December race looks set to be one of the strongest of the season's closing stretch.