Cheroben Wins Medio Maraton de Valencia in Super-Quick 58:48

Published by IAAF on October 19, 2014

Abraham Cheroben turned in a sparkling performance at the 24th edition of the Medio Maraton de Valencia Trinidad Alfonso, clocking 58:48 at the IAAF Silver Label Road Race on Sunday (19). 

It was a personal best for the 21-year-old Kenyan, the fastest time in the world for more than two years, just 25 seconds shy of Zersenay Tadese's 2010 world record and a Spanish all-comers best, smashing the latter mark set by another Kenyan, the late Samuel Wanjiru, who ran 59:26 in Granollers in 2008.

He is the ninth successive Kenyan winner of the race, which has acquired a deserved reputation for fast times thanks to its flat course and being only about 16 metres above sea level. His compatriot Kenneth Kipkemoi finished second in a personal best of 59:01. 

Cheroben and Kipkemoi move up to equal fifth and 13th on the world all-time list.

“I’m satisfied with my win but I’m not totally happy because I was targeting a world record today. I’m convinced I can break the 58-minute barrier for the distance. Today’s temperature was a little bit hot for an endurance event like this, so conditions were good but no ideal," reflected Cheroben.

Asked about the possibility of tackling a marathon sometime soon, Cheroben was adamant: “No, not at the moment. My only goal in the near future is to break the half marathon world best."