The Fastest Marathon in the World: Valencia Marathon
Valencia Marathon 2024 Winner, Sebastian Sawe
This past Sunday, December 1st, we witnessed history again as the Valencia Marathon confirmed its title as the fastest marathon in the world. With Sebastian Sawe crossing the finish line at 2:02:05 and Megertu Alemu at 2:16:49, the event proved why it's unmatched.
Out of an incredible 28,183 runners, 5,201 finished under 3 hours, an absurd statistic that's unprecedented in any other marathon worldwide.
To put this into perspective: 18.4% of Valencia runners went sub-3 hours. Compare that to the other speed-dominant races:
Berlin (2024): 54,164 finishers, 4,578 under 3 hours (8.4%)
London (2024): 53,877 finishers, 3,650 under 3 hours (6.7%)
Chicago (2024): 52,084 finishers, 3,297 under 3 hours (6.3%)
Even with fewer total runners, Valencia dominates both in numbers and percentage. Add to that the average finish time of 3:39:12, the lowest globally, with men's averaging 3:33:30 and women 4:00:00. This is unparalleled speed!
(All data and statistics were shared by the amazing running news page @Corridanoar on Instagram.)
But does that mean signing up for Valencia guarantees you’ll break 3 hours or crush your first marathon?
Not quite.
Your training is what determines your performance, and conditions on race day can be unpredictable.
For example, this year’s race wasn’t perfect, temperatures climbed higher than ideal in the second half, making it tougher for runners to hit their goals. Even with flawless training, external factors play a role in achieving a dream race.
The good news? Unlike other iconic races, Valencia doesn’t rely on a lottery system. No need to wait or hope for an entry, you simply sign up once registration opens. But don’t procrastinate! With the running boom, slots sell out quickly.
Personally, I’m eagerly waiting for the next announcement date for registration, Valencia is my goal race for next year.
I can’t wait to experience this incredible event firsthand.
If you’re thinking about chasing your marathon dream, I’d love to help you build the perfect training cycle to get you ready for it. Let’s make Valencia your next big goal too!
