Kejelcha out of Valencia Marathon with injury

Yomif Kejelcha has withdrawn from the Valencia Marathon with an injury. Organizers announced it Friday, saying the current half marathon world record holder and second-fastest man in history will not be on the start line on December 6.

That takes the biggest name out of the race. Kejelcha ran 1:59:41 at April's London Marathon to finish second to Sabastian Sawe, who ran 1:59:30, CITIUS MAG says. The two became the first men to break two hours in a record-eligible race.

What it costs the race

Valencia is fast, flat and late in the calendar, which is why a Kejelcha start was being read as the year's last realistic crack at another sub-two. CITIUS MAG put it plainly, saying he "will miss the year's last big shot at another sub-two-hour marathon."

Chris Chavez flagged the withdrawal too, noting Kejelcha ran 1:59 on his marathon debut in London back in April. David Monti also passed on the news.

Who is left

Boston Marathon champion John Korir is still set to headline the men's elite field, according to CITIUS MAG. Nothing in the announcement says anything about the nature of the injury or how long Kejelcha is expected to be out.

The women's race still has its own headline act. Agnes Ngetich is due to make her marathon debut in Valencia on the same day, as covered earlier.

What it actually means

A sub-two in Valencia was never a given, and Kejelcha's 1:59:41 came in London alongside Sawe rather than on his own. What his withdrawal removes is the one entrant with a sub-two already on his record, which changes how the men's race should be watched. Korir leading the field is a strong race in its own right, just not the record-chase framing the start list had a week ago.

Valencia goes on December 6.

CITIUS MAG

@CitiusMag

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The second-fastest marathoner in history will miss the year’s last big shot at another sub-two-hour marathon.