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Debutant Daniel Mateiko part of Valencia Marathon stellar cast
Reading Time: 2min | Wed. 20.11.24. | 19:51
Despite all those half marathon titles under his belt, Mateiko has yet to finish a full marathon.
Daniel Mateiko will make his Valencia Marathon debut on Sunday, 1 December. By now, it is safe to say that the Kaptagat-based runner knows the Valencian avenues like the back of his hand.
He came in second in the Valencia Half Marathon last month, an improvement from his third-place finishes in the 2021 and 2022 editions.
The world half marathon silver medalist has been consistent at the 13.1-mile distance, having broken 59 minutes on seven occasions. He has already run 10 half marathons in his career.
Despite all those half marathon titles under his belt, Mateiko has yet to finish a full marathon.
He made his marathon debut during the 2023 Chicago Marathon, where he boldly helped push the pace alongside the late Kelvin Kiptum from about the 5km mark and managed to hold on until just after 30km.
His second attempt at the marathon distance in London in April ended with another DNF (Did Not Finish) next to his name, which forced him to refocus his plans for the season.
This time around, he will be keen to finish the race if he wants to stand up to his opponents. Mateiko has already run nine half marathons and knows the Valencian avenues like the back of his hand.
However, he will face stiff competition from his fellow countrymen, including world half marathon champion Sebastien Sawe. Sawe has contested nine half marathons to date, all of them comfortably under 60 minutes, topped by his personal best of 58:02.
Another Kenyan, Hillary Kipkoech, a 59:22 half marathon performer who was the pacemaker to Valencia Half Marathon course record holder Sisay Lemma of Ethiopia in 2023, has been entered as a contender in his own right. Other debutants include Matthew Kimeli and Edward Cheserek.
Evaline Chirchir is the only Kenyan competitor in the women’s category. At the same time, event organizers announced that the race will proceed as scheduled despite severe flooding and more than 200 deaths in the Valencia province.
In a statement, organizers announced fundraising plans to aid the city and those affected by the recent storms and flooding.
“We want the Valencia Marathon, your race, to be a symbol of support for every family that has suffered, for every street and every corner of Valencia that is in the process of reconstruction. Celebrating the Valencia Marathon is our way of saying that together, as a society, we can overcome any obstacle. We know that running means health, and it also means hope. We understand that, for some of you, it may not be the right time, and we deeply respect those feelings,” part of the statement read.
