Yomif Kejelcha has officially withdrawn from next month’s Valencia Marathon, confirming that injury has ended his campaign to break the marathon world record. The Ethiopian star, who stunned the athletics world by clocking 1:59:41 at the London Marathon this year, was widely expected to target the 1:59:30 mark on the renowned fast course in Spain. His absence removes the primary challenger to Sabastian Sawe’s historic time, which currently stands as the fastest official marathon performance in history.
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The 29-year-old’s exit leaves the field significantly altered, with last year’s Valencia winner and two-time Boston Marathon champion John Korir emerging as the new red-hot favorite. Korir, who has demonstrated consistent elite-level speed on major European circuits, now holds the strongest claim to the title without Kejelcha’s direct pressure. Race organizers confirmed the scratch, signaling a shift in tactical dynamics for the remaining top-tier athletes who will now compete for the podium without the looming threat of a sub-2-hour record attempt.
This development marks a premature end to Kejelcha’s 2026 marathon season, as he had planned for only two races over the 26.2-mile distance this year. While his half-marathon world record remains intact, the inability to defend or extend his marathon dominance raises questions about his recovery timeline and future scheduling. For fans and analysts, the focus now shifts to whether Korir can capitalize on the open field to set a new course record or if another challenger will step up in the absence of the sport’s current speed king.
Source: The Independent Sport
