Kenya’s long-distance running legacy grew even stronger on Sunday after a trio of elite athletes produced standout performances at the 2025 Valencia Marathon, earning the country two gold medals and a silver.
The results, confirmed in an official statement by Sports Cabinet Secretary Salim Mvurya, underscored Kenya’s continued dominance on the global marathon circuit and reinforced the nation’s reputation for nurturing world-class endurance talent.
CS Mvurya announced that John Korir captured the men’s title with a time of 2:02:24, a performance he described as a new world record.
The achievement places Korir among the most successful marathon runners of his generation and adds to Kenya’s growing list of record holders in the discipline.
His victory comes at a moment when the country is preparing for a demanding athletics calendar that traditionally peaks with global championship qualifiers.
In the women’s race, Joyciline Jepkosgei delivered another major win for Kenya by setting a 2:14:00 course record, securing the top podium position.
Peris Jepchirchir followed closely with 2:14:43, cementing a Kenyan one-two finish in a race known for attracting some of the world’s most competitive long-distance athletes.
According to Mvurya, the pair’s performance reflected the depth and consistency of Kenya’s female marathon runners, who have historically excelled in major European races.
The marathon circuit has long been a key avenue for Kenya’s international sporting visibility, often contributing to national pride in a manner comparable to the country’s performance at major events including the Olympics and World Championships.
Successes of this nature also influence the athletics ecosystem back home, where regional training hubs in Rift Valley counties continue to produce runners who shape global competition.
Sports administrators, including past Athletics Kenya officials, have frequently highlighted the importance of maintaining infrastructure and talent development pathways to sustain such achievements.
The results from Valencia will likely renew discussions on investment in high-altitude training bases and youth programmes, particularly as Kenya prepares for upcoming global contests where world-record holders often face heightened expectations.
CS Mvurya, in his statement, commended the athletes for “exceptional representation of the country,” noting that their achievements reflected Kenya’s resilience and technical brilliance in long-distance running.
His remarks capture the broader national sentiment often associated with such victories, especially when they involve record-breaking performances that reinforce Kenya’s status in international athletics.
With Korir’s world record pending the standard verification procedures and Jepkosgei’s course record already acknowledged by race organisers, Kenya concludes the Valencia event with a strengthened global profile.
Formal ratification by World Athletics is expected in the coming period.