Even today hope remains: the two best marathoners in history, Eliud Kipchoge and Kenenisa Bekele , can still face each other this year. Before the sadness of the coronavirus, they were both going to run in April in London and perhaps in August at the Tokyo Olympics, the world record was in the air, the human being could break the two-hour barrier - really, no experiments - but now the expectations are different. Since everything went awry in mid-February with the cancellation of the popular Tokyo Marathon event, a cascade of suspensions and cancellations have left the calendar shaking and the possible Kipchoge-Bekele like a dream. A dream that, yes, could have a Spanish stage.

With no Olympics and no marathons in Boston, New York, Berlin or Chicago, the activity will be concentrated on a few autumn weekends and, at the expense of what may happen with the London marathon, there is an exciting option on the table. : That the two legends seek to lower the world record in Valencia on December 6.

Only a year ago that possibility was unthinkable. With funding from the Trinidad Alfonso Foundation led by Juan Roig , the largest shareholder of Mercadona, the Valencia marathon had become the most important in Spain and had entered the second world division with force, but for money, attractiveness and tradition still it was almost impossible to compete with the so-called majors - Boston, London, Berlin, Chicago, New York and Tokyo - in attracting athletes. But the pandemic has changed everything. With no other tests on the calendar, Kipchoge and Bekele plan to run in the London marathon, relocated on October 4, but if it is canceled, Valencia will be the chosen place.

«I would like to run in London, but if I cannot, I would like to do it in Valencia. It is true that our rivalry is what the fans want to see, especially since he stayed two seconds away from my world record, ”confirmed Kipchoge himself in Marca with words that triggered the illusion. Up to three factors mean that both the Kenyan and the Ethiopian can be at the exit next to the City of Sciences and Arts: the very flat route (the Ethiopian Alayew ran last year at 2:04:31), the good reputation of the organization and, ultimately, the Spanish marathon runner Marc Roig , who is the sports coordinator of the event and maintains a close relationship with both. In fact, right now he works as a Kipchoge physiotherapist at his center in Kaptagat and years ago he did it with Bekele.

«I will not deny or confirm and understand that it is speculated. Our goal is always for the best to run, but under these conditions it is still too early to confirm or deny. Many things can happen, things that do not depend on us either. We must also be aware of our limits and keep our path ”, acknowledges Roig himself, who does not want to value other options, such as Kilian Jornet debuting on asphalt this year in Valencia or the lineup of riders being exaggerated, extensive.

The Spanish marathon will have two factors in favor, which will grant a direct place for the Tokyo Games to its top 10 finishers and that it will be the first marathon that allows the Olympic minimum, and that is why Roig has received countless requests from his colleagues. Against it, yes, it is that any contract is subject to the evolution of the pandemic. Because just as the London marathon can be canceled if conditions worsen in the UK, the same can happen in Spain between now and December. In any case, from the organization of the test, starting with the director himself, Paco Borao , it is maintained that, as long as the health authorities allow popular races, the marathon will be run, although only the elite competition must be satisfied. The two best in history, Kipchoge and Bekele, can still be measured this year and they can do it, yes, yes, in Spain.

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  • London
  • Spain
  • Berlin
  • Mercadona
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  • Juan Roig

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