Agnes Ngetich Set for Tough Marathon Debut Against Ethiopian Star Tesfay in Valencia

Kenyan long-distance runner Agnes Jebet Ngetich is set to make her much-anticipated marathon debut at the Valencia Marathon in Spain on December 6, 2026, where she will face a strong field led by Ethiopian distance-running star Fotyen Tesfay and defending champion Joyciline Jepkosgei.

The 25-year-old Kenyan will be stepping up to the 42.195-kilometre distance for the first time after an impressive season that has seen her establish herself among the leading athletes in international distance running.

Ngetich’s entry into the race adds considerable interest to the women’s contest, particularly because of the prospect of her facing Tesfay, who has already demonstrated her ability over the full marathon distance.

The Ethiopian made history in March when she won the Barcelona Marathon in 2:10:51, recording the fastest marathon debut by a woman. The performance also earned her a national record and placed her second on the women’s all-time marathon list at the time.

Tesfay will therefore provide a significant test for Ngetich, whose impressive performances over shorter distances have raised expectations ahead of her transition to the marathon.

Ngetich has enjoyed considerable success in Valencia, making the Spanish city a familiar destination in her athletics career. In 2024, she set the women’s 10-kilometre world record of 28:46 in Valencia, becoming the first woman to run the distance in under 29 minutes.

She also established a Kenyan half-marathon record of 1:03:04 in the same city, alongside a 5-kilometre personal best of 14:13. Both performances rank among the fastest ever recorded over the respective distances.

Her achievements in 2026 have further strengthened her reputation. She began the year by winning the World Cross Country Championships in January before adding the World Half Marathon title at the World Athletics Road Running Championships in September.

At the half-marathon championships in Copenhagen, Denmark, Ngetich clocked 1:05:15, setting a women’s-only world record and finishing comfortably ahead of her competitors.

She continued her impressive form in October when she won the Tokyo Legacy Half Marathon in 1:04:23, demonstrating that she remains in strong competitive condition ahead of her marathon challenge.

Tesfay, meanwhile, also heads to Valencia with a recent victory under her belt after winning the Buenos Aires Half Marathon in August in 1:03:57.

The women’s race will also feature Jepkosgei, who returns to defend the title she won last year in 2:14:00. Her experience over the marathon distance adds another dimension to the competition.

For Ngetich, however, the Valencia event will represent an important new chapter in her career. While she has already achieved remarkable success in cross country, track events and road running, the marathon presents a different physical and tactical challenge.

Her ability to maintain her exceptional speed over the longer distance will be closely watched as she takes on experienced marathon competitors.

With Tesfay’s proven marathon credentials and Jepkosgei’s experience, Ngetich will face a demanding introduction to the distance when the Valencia Marathon gets underway on December 6.

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