Korir faces Lemma in battle for Valencia marathon glory
Athletics
By
Stephen Rutto
| Dec 06, 2025
Until recently, the contest for the men’s title at the 2025 Valencia Marathon scheduled for Sunday was considered less competitive compared to the women’s show.
But with the recent entry of Chicago and Boston marathon winner John Korir, a towering figure in the classic distance, the field is now deeper.
Korir is bouncing back after not finishing the 2025 Chicago Marathon in October.
He takes to the start line, the confidence from adequate rest and training after the Chicago marathon disappointment.
On the sidelines of the 2025 Iten International Marathon last Sunday, Korir said he was aiming at the title of the race that has propelled a number of Kenyan long distance stars to greatness.
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Even as he takes on the 2023 Valencia marathon winner Sisay lemma of Ethiopia in the Spanish city, Korir has set his sights on 2:01 time and a win to end 2025 in style.
“My main aim on Sunday will be to run a good time and win. I will not want to go out so hard. I was targeting to run under 2:01 in Chicago but I didn’t achieve it. I hope to do well this time in Valencia,” the late entrant said.
In recent years, the Valencia Marathon has propelled Kenyan stars to superb 42km milestones.
For instance, the late Kelvin Kiptum set a course record in Valencia in 2022 before taking the top shape to the 2023 season, winning London marathon and shattering the world record in Chicago.
Sabastian Sawe, who is fresh from being crowned the out of stadium athlete of the year by World Athletics, savoured victory in a world lead in 2024 and has been unbeaten in 2025, claiming victories in London and Berlin.
And the men’s race tomorrow is expected to be a strong contest between Lemma, who demolished Kiptum’s course record during his 2023 win, and Korir who is looking to redeem his stature.
In a race featuring the calibre of Korir and Lemma, tearing the rule book is a possibility.
Lemma on the other hand is a man under pressure. The Ethiopian returned to Valencia last year but finished a disappointing 10th in a race won by Sawe, who dictated the proceedings from gun to finish.
The 2023 winner has however not competed since last year’s star-studded Valencia show, just eight months after winning the Boston marathon.
Korir’s marathon CV is impressive. His 2024 win in Chicago in a time of 2:02:43 marked the athlete’s breakthrough.
He followed it by a 2:04:45 victory in Boston in April, a triumph that transformed his status from a perennial contender to a serial winner.
A strong cast of marathon stars among them multiple NCAA champion Edward Cheserek as well as sub-2:05 marathoners including Hillary Kipkoech, Ehiopia’s Tesfaye Deriba and Uganda’s Stephen Kissa are expected to be waiting for an opportunity to charge to surprising victory when opportunity arises.
World silver medallist Amanal Petros and his German compatriot and national record-holder Samuel Fitwi are set to feature in the men’s race.
Other strong contenders include Japanese record-holder Suguru Osako, Italy’s Yemane Crippa and debutants Gemechu Dida and Patrick Mosin.