Sifan Hassan eyes world record at Valencia half-marathon

Sifan Hassan eyes world record at Valencia half-marathon

AW
Published: 25th October, 2019
Updated: 10th February, 2025
BY Athletics Weekly

Dutch runner goes for another global mark after recent 1500m and 10,000m world double

The Valencia Half Marathon Trinidad Alfonso EDP is set to see an assault on the world half-marathon record on Sunday, with Sifan Hassan among those targeting the 64:51 run by Joyciline Jepkosgei in the Spanish city two years ago.

Dutch runner Hassan is the European half-marathon record-holder thanks to her 65:15 run in Copenhagen last year and this year she has set world records in the mile and 5km with respective marks of 4:12.33 and 14:44 in Monaco.

At the IAAF World Championships in Doha she achieved a 1500m and 10,000m double. During the event her coach, Alberto Salazar, received a four-year ban for doping violations but has denied any wrongdoing and the IAAF has since reported that Hassan is now being guided by Dutchman Charles van Commenee, the former head coach of UK Athletics who has a history of coaching field eventers and combined events athletes.

Joining Hassan in the women's field are Kenya's 64:52 runner Fancy Chemutai and Joan Chelimo plus Ethiopia's Senbere Teferi, Gelete Burka and world champion Netsanet Gudeta.

Ethiopia's Yomif Kejelcha, another former Salazar-coached athlete who claimed 10,000m silver in Doha, leads the men's entries and his half-marathon PB of 59:17 was set last year.

He will be joined by his compatriots Jemal Yimer and 2015 world marathon champion Ghirmay Ghebreslassie, plus Kenya's Geoffrey Koech and Norway's Sondre Nordstad Moen.

» For more on the latest athletics news, athletics events coverage and athletics updates, check out the AW homepage and our social media channels on TwitterFacebook and Instagram

AW
athletes mentioned
AW is the UK’s No.1 website, magazine and social media hub for road racing, track and field, cross country, walks, trail running, fell running, mountain running and ultra running, avidly followed by runners, athletes and fans alike.
Copyright © 2025 All Rights Reserved
cross