Sebastian Sawe runs fastest Marathon of 2024 in Valencia

Kenya’s Sebastian Sawe delivered the fastest marathon of the year and ascended to fifth place on the all-time marathon list with a blistering 2:02:05 at the 2024 Valencia Marathon on Sunday, December 1. The 2023 World Half Marathon Champion's marathon debut will go down as one of the fastest in history.

Ethiopia’s Deresa Geleta came in second, clocking an impressive 2:02:38, while Kenya’s Daniel Mateiko secured third with 2:04:23, rounding out a fiercely competitive men's podium.

Fastest marathon of the year 👀

🇰🇪's Sabastian Sawe rules the @maratonvalencia with 2:02:05 🔥

He moves up to 5th on the marathon all-time list 👏 pic.twitter.com/Uk3nNxRRmf

— World Athletics (@WorldAthletics) December 1, 2024

In the women’s race, Ethiopia’s Megertu Alemu clinched victory with a remarkable 2:16:49, narrowly missing her lifetime best and the course record. Uganda’s Stella Chesang set a new national record, finishing second in 2:18:26, while Ethiopia’s Tiruye Mesfin placed third with 2:18:35, highlighting the depth of talent in women’s marathon running.

Valencia’s renowned flat course and favourable weather once again produced outstanding performances, reinforcing its status as one of the world’s premier marathon venues.

Men Marathon

1. SAWE, SEBASTIAN (KEN) - 2:02:05

2. GELETA, DERESA (ETH) - 2:02:38

3. MATEIKO, DANIEL (KEN) - 2:04:24

4. SIMBU, ALPHONCE (TZA) - 2:04:38

5. ABRAHAM, TADESSE (CHE) - 2:04:40

6. DEBELE, CHIMDESSA (ETH) - 2:04:44

7. TEFERI, MARU (ISR) - 2:04:44

8. KIPKOECH, HILLARY (KEN) - 2:04:45

9. FITWI, SAMWEL (DEU) - 2:04:56

10. LEMMA, SISAY (ETH) - 2:04:59

Women's Marathon

1. Megertu Alemu (ETH) - 2:16:49

2. Stella Chesang (UGA) - 2:18:26

3. Tiruye Mesfin (ETH) - 2:18:35

4. Evaline Chirchir (KEN) - 2:20:33

5. Majida Maayouf - 2:21:43

6. Chimdessa Kumsa - 2:21:54

7. Laura Luengo (ESP) - 2:22:31

8. Isobel Batt-Doyle - 2:22:59

9. Moira Stewartova - 2:23:44

10. Sara Hall (USA) - 2:23:45