I think Gabriel Geay and Alexander Mutiso should be the two favorites honestly. They ran 2:03:00 and 2:03:29 respectively last year in this race.
Mutiso is one of the most slept-on runners in the world. That 2:03:29 was his marathon debut, and he won his second marathon in Prague this spring (2:05:09). He also owns a 57:59 half marathon PB from guess where—Valencia.
I hope he passes the halfway mark at 1:02. 1:01 would be truly suicidal.
Pacing strategy for men and women out yet? What times at halfway?
🐰 LIEBRES ÉLITE MARATÓN VALENCIA 2023
Hombres: ● GRUPO 1 ➡️ 61:00/61:15 (2:54 min/km). Charles Matata, Hillary Kipkoech y Bernard Ngeno. Para récord de la prueba (2:01:53). ● GRUPO 2 ➡️ 62:30/62:45 (2:58min/km). Dominic Omare, Bernard Kibet y Julien Rebeck. ● GRUPO 3 ➡️… pic.twitter.com/iEisWcgRrc
whichever way I slice or dice it, I can’t see Leul getting beat here
Cheptegei second, then Geay
Why the extreme confidence in Leul? Not saying you will be wrong because he is a strong and consistent runner but usually finishes position 2-5 (1 career marathon win)
Here are the pace groups you have been waiting for ⤵️. 🏃♂️&🏃♀️ will go for the CRs (2:01:53 & 2:14:58, respectively). Planned pace for the men is faster than Kelvin Kiptum's halfway split (61:38). For the women, it's slower than Amane Beriso's split (67:18).@PabloMese@siropierinihttps://t.co/FLYBR9G75K
whichever way I slice or dice it, I can’t see Leul getting beat here
Cheptegei second, then Geay
Why the extreme confidence in Leul? Not saying you will be wrong because he is a strong and consistent runner but usually finishes position 2-5 (1 career marathon win)
Just his consistency. Can compete for podiums at both flat courses and hilly. Former winner here 2018. There are question marks over all the other contenders