The 2024 Valencia Marathon confirmed its reputation as one of the fastest marathons in the world, with a record-breaking number of runners finishing under three hours. A 2:59:59 finish time, often considered a gold standard for marathoners, placed 5,200th in Valencia.
For comparison, the same time would have ranked 293rd at Toronto’s Waterfront Marathon and 2,660th at the Boston Marathon, showcasing Valencia’s exceptional depth of talent.
Despite the impressive numbers, the race highlighted some imbalances. Women represented only 21% of the 28,000 finishers, with an average finishing time of 4:00:00 compared to 3:33:30 for men.
The most competitive age group was men aged 18–35, contributing 1,056 sub-three-hour finishers. Across all participants, the average completion time stood at 3:39:12.
At the elite level, the performances were equally remarkable. Kenya’s Sebastian Sawe, running his first marathon, won the men’s race in 2:02:05, the fifth-fastest marathon time in history. Ethiopia’s Megertu Alemu dominated the women’s race, finishing in an exceptional 2:16:49.
Valencia continues to attract runners chasing personal bests and historic performances. Its flat, fast course, paired with growing advancements in running technology, ensures it remains one of the most sought-after marathons worldwide.
