Twenty-nine-year-old Swede, Andreas Almgren, dropped a terrific sprint to clinch victory during the Valencia 10K. In so doing he improved the European record with his 26:53 performance. His previous personal best was from the 2024 Valencia event which he ran in 27:20. Meanwhile Kenyan Ekalale Lobun set a new personal best over the 10km distance clocking a win in the time of 29:30
Men’s race
The race became intense during the final kilometre as Almgren, Vincent Langat of Kenya and Switzerland’s Dominic Lobalu, led the field.
Langat took command early, but could not shake the others at any time. However, the race culminated in sprint between Almgren and Lobalu. Demonstrating remarkable fitness, Almgren, the 2014 world junior 800m bronze medallist, took the lead over the final 50m, for the win. They were moving so fast that video footage, showing spectators crossing perpendicular, appeared to be in danger — Valencia will need to tighten security.
Valencia 10km – absolutely crazy that people are crossing the finish straight of the course. https://t.co/YJsLUQdJeP
— Emily Evans (@RunEmilyERun) January 12, 2025
Lobalu, a South Sudanese refugee competing for Switzerland had competed in the 5000m final at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games (Olympic refugee team members), and finished second, just ahead of Langat on a course known as the world’s fastest 10km road route.
Valencia is now home to one of the fastest marathons, half-marathons and 10K races.
Alex Yee, a former international triathlete is moving up to the marathon at the 2025 London event. He finished 29th in 28:07. Brit Rory Leonard broke the national 10km record with his 27:38 finish time, surpassing the previous record held by Mo Farah.
Women’s race
The women’s race was a little less dramatic, but also very fast.
Kenyan Ekalale Lobun set a new personal best over the 10km distance clocking a win in the time of 29:30. The 25-year-old finished four seconds in front of second-place finisher Girmawit Gebrzihair Gebru of Ethiopia and 12 seconds in front of Fotyen Tesfay Haiylu also of Ethiopia.
Results
POS | NAME | TIME | |
---|---|---|---|
1 | Andreas | Almgren | 26:53 |
2 | Dominic | Lokinyomo Lobalu | 26:54 |
3 | Vincent | Langat | 26:55 |
4 | Daniel | Kinyanjui | 27:06 |
5 | Isaac | Kimeli | 27:10 |
6 | Benard | Langat | 27:11 |
7 | Telahun | Haile Bekele | 27:13 |
8 | Santiago | Catrofe | 27:16 |
9 | Dawit | Seare | 27:21 |
10 | Celestin | Ndikumana | 27:23 |
Women’s 10km Leading Results:
POS | NAME | TIME | |
---|---|---|---|
1 | Hellen | Ekalale Lobun | 29:30 |
2 | Girmawit | Gebrzihair Gebru | 29:34 |
3 | Fotyen | Tesfay Haiylu | 29:42 |
4 | Asayech | Ayichew | 29:43 |
5 | Fentaye | Belayneh | 30:00 |
6 | Christine | Chesiro | 30:06 |
7 | Maurine | Jemutai Toroitich | 30:28 |
8 | Miriam | Serem | 30:29 |
9 | Alice | Chemtai | 30:47 |
10 | Lomi | Muleta Tefera | 31:01 |