Valencia

A big weekend of marathon running is happening Sunday, December 4 with the very fast Valencia Marathon taking place in Valencia Spain. All eyes will be on the great Ethiopian Letesenbet Gidey who currently holds the world record in the 5000m, 10,000m, and half marathon distances. She also holds the fast 15K all-time.

Running fans are expecting the 24-year-old to take down the world record in her debut. Currently, Brigid Kosgei holds the world record at 2:14:04.

Tamirat Tola who has run as fast as 2:03:39, and is the reigning World Marathon champion, heads the men’s line-up. Fellow Ethiopians Getaneh Molla (2:03:34) and Dawit Wolde (2:04:27) will challenge for the win. Kenya, if the country is not suspended, will be represented by Jonathan Korir (2:04:32), but also Alexander Mutiso, Philemon Kiplimo, and Kelvin Kiptum — all three will be debuting.

There will be over 150 runners with bests under 2:20:00 or 1:06:00 for the half marathon.

The Kenyan Sheila Chepkirui will also debut. The 31-year-old has run the half marathon as fast as 64:36 in February this year. She could run well, Also expect Ethiopian Sutume Kebede (2:18:12) and Etagegne Woldu (2:20:16), who finished in second place last year in Valencia.

Overall, the final line-up contains over 80 athletes who have run sub-2:45:00 in the marathon or sub-1:17:30 in the half marathon.

Complete details

California International Marathon (CIM)

This marathon often acts as the USATF Trials qualification whether for real or not. It has turned into an event where American marathon runners who want to run Olympic or World Trials, need a fast time; a trials trial. The course is point-to-point and has a net downhill more than the World Athletics requirements for a legal course. It is counted as a marathon, but not for international qualification.

Organizers of CIM announced that they are hosting the 2022 USATF Marathon Championships this year.

“We are honored to have been chosen to host the 2022 USATF Marathon Championships,” said Executive Director Scott Abbott in the media release. “Serving as the USATF Marathon Championships for the third time in the last four conducted national marathon championships further cements CIM as the top performance marathon in the United States. This is in accordance with the Sacramento Running Association’s mission to bring championship running events to our community to feature running as a major part of the local sporting landscape.”

CIM in Sacramento, California, is dependent on weather. The weather can be unpredictable. There have been classic running in cold and windy storms or temperatures a little warmer than ideal. On a calm and mild day, CIM offers an opportunity to run a personal best.

The men’s course record is 2:10:27 by Jerry Lawson in 1993. Sara Vaughn set the current course record at 2:26:53 in 2021.

USATF Marathon Championship Entry Standards
Females: 2:41:00 marathon or 1:15:00 half-marathon
Males: 2:19:30 marathon or 1:04:30 half-marathon

The prize purse is approximately $90,000 with the winners receiving $20,000.

Complete details

Verona Marathon Results

The Verona Marathon took place on Nov. 20. in Verone, Italy.

Top-5 Men

1. NJERI SIMON KAMAU (KEN) – 2:18:46
2.  EPINEY LUCIEN (SUI) – 2:27:53
3.  KELLY DAN (GBR) – 2:29:49
4.  ANGILELLA DAVIDE (ITA) – 2:33:37
5.  LOTHODE THEO (FRA) – 2:35:01

Top-5 Women

1. SILVERA SILVA ELIANA VALERIA (URU) 2:53:41
2. ZILIO ANNA (ITA) 2:56:10
3. VIORA ELISA (ITA) 3:04:42
4. ZOCCATELLI GIORGIA (ITA) 3:05:34
5. GISMONDI FEDERICA (ITA) 3:07:01

Complete results

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