IAAF World Half Marathon Championships
Valencia, Spain
- Half Marathon
- Road (Paved)
- Official race website
Run like never before through the streets of Valencia. Valencia shows its best side for the biggest event of the year with a new circuit in the City of Running. Get ready to fly with the best in the world. More than 13,000 recreational runners will travel from 82 different … MORE
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Best race ever!
Valencia is a city for runners. The marathon (November) and also the half marathon (October) war very famous because of its flat and fast courses. This year the world half … MORE
Valencia is a city for runners. The marathon (November) and also the half marathon (October) war very famous because of its flat and fast courses. This year the world half marathon championships took place in Valencia and therefore a new course was created, even flatter than the ordinary half marathon course and with the finish at the city of arts and science (spectacular architecture by the famous architect Santiago Calatrava). The expo took place in the museum of science and the atmosphere was fantastic. There were many possibilities to take pictures and everything was easy going – no long waiting at all. Every runner got a T-Shirt (unfortunately orange again) and a bag with beer, nuts, etc.
Raceday was Saturday and the start for the elite women took place at 5.05pm, for the elite men at 5.30pm followed by the mass start. The course was REALLY FLAT – I loved it. It took us from the city of arts and science to all places in the city and as it was like an eight it was very easy for friends to cheer at the start, at km 8,5 and at the finish. The atmosphere all along the course was amazing. Many people were cheering at the course, especially from km 16 up to the finish when the course hit downtown and went back to the city of arts and science thousands of spectators were cheering the runners. The finish was spectacular! One of the best I have ever experienced. I do hope that the ordinary annually half marathon will change its course to that one. It was fast and spectacular! I love Valencia – ciudad of running! Of course every runner got a beautiful medal and we even got a whole net full of oranges at the finish!