Yalemzerf Yehualaw may have only made her marathon debut six months ago, but the Ethiopian 23-year-old has already made huge strides in the 26.2-mile event. A 2:17:23 run in Hamburg, which at that time was the fastest ever women&rsquo;s marathon debut, was followed by a 2:17:26 London Marathon win and she now sits eighth on a rapidly evolving world all-time list with two of the 13 fastest ever women&rsquo;s marathon performances to her name.
A name &ndash; Yalemzerf &ndash; that in Amharic means &lsquo;edge of the world&rsquo;. When it comes to the world of road running, she has worked her way to the top of it.
There&rsquo;s no complacency, though. Hard work, determination, passion and a strong support system all contribute to Yehualaw&rsquo;s success and after such a triumphant transition to the marathon, the 2020 World Half Marathon Championships bronze medallist has already set new goals. Representing Ethiopia again, this time in the marathon at the World Athletics Championships Budapest 23, is on the list, as is racing the event at the Olympics. The world marathon record is in her sights and she also has an eye on the World Athletics Cross Country Championships Bathurst 23 in February. 
<div><img style="max-width: 900px; width: 100%; display: block;" src="https://assets.aws.worldathletics.org/635a8a24444b55dfd90cff70.jpg" alt="Yalemzerf Yehualaw at the World Half Marathon Championships in Gdynia" />
Yalemzerf Yehualaw at the World Half Marathon Championships in Gdynia (&copy; Gdynia LOC)
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Yehualaw&rsquo;s first steps in the sport came when she was at school. The eldest of six siblings, she grew up in West Gojjam, in a village in the Amhara region of Ethiopia, and showed her talent for athletics with wins on the track, road and cross country.
She was invited to train at the Ethiopian Youth Sport Academy in Addis Ababa and after four years there she joined the NN Running Team and began working with coach Tessema Abshero.
Her international debut came in 2019, Yehualaw winning the Rabat Half Marathon in 1:09:13. Later that year she returned to Rabat to win the African half marathon title and she improved her PB to 1:06:01 to triumph in the Delhi Half Marathon. Since then, she has taken her tally of sub-1:07 half marathons to seven, topped by her 1:03:51 run in Valencia last year when she finished second behind Letesenbet Gidey&rsquo;s 1:02:52 world record.
Yehualaw also dipped under 1:04 in Larne, Northern Ireland, two months before that and while her 1:03:44 could not be ratified as a world record because the course was later found to be 54 metres short, she went on to get a global mark of her own in Castellon. Running in the Spanish province in February this year, Yehualaw clocked 29:14 to improve the world 10km record.
&ldquo;Today a dream came true,&rdquo; she said later, but that achievement was only part of the plan. Another ambition was to step up to the marathon and while it came sooner than he had intended, Abshero was ready to guide her on the next step of the journey. 
<div><img style="max-width: 900px; width: 100%; display: block;" src="https://assets.aws.worldathletics.org/635a8b75941edc3fb209b7a6.jpg" alt="Yalemzerf Yehualaw training in Ethiopia" />
Yalemzerf Yehualaw training in Ethiopia (&copy; NN Running Team)
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For her debut, they decided on Hamburg, where Abshero ran his own PB of 2:08:26 when finishing fourth in 2008. Although the race was an increase in distance, Yehualaw&rsquo;s training remained fundamentally focused on the half marathon. That was also the case for London, for which she ran around 180km a week in the lead up. With even bigger goals to aim for, it is all with longevity in mind, Abshero explained.
&ldquo;Always I am focusing on her half marathon,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;A lot of endurance is tough for her because she is very young. That is why I think she got a good result.
&ldquo;If I give more mileage, maybe she would only run for five or six years. I improve her training step by step.
&ldquo;I am not thinking about only one good result, I am also thinking about Olympic Games, World Championships, also the world record. I am focusing on the 10 to 15 years that she is running with these kind of performances.&rdquo;
What makes Yehualaw&rsquo;s performance in London all the more impressive is that she achieved it despite a heavy fall, and she wasn&rsquo;t solely on the hunt for a fast time &ndash; her aim was to win.
&ldquo;I was thinking about a water station when I fell, but I got up quickly and continued to push," she said. "I landed on my hip and knee.
&ldquo;At around 35km I felt that if I pushed, I could become the winner. So, that&rsquo;s what I did,&rdquo; added Yehualaw, who beat defending champion Joyciline Jepkosgei to become the youngest women&rsquo;s race winner in London Marathon history and achieve the third-fastest ever time recorded on the streets of the British capital.
&ldquo;People were shouting, that was inspiring me. When I turned past Buckingham Palace and saw the finish line, my heart felt like it was clapping.&rdquo;
And it wasn&rsquo;t just the crowds that inspired her. Yehualaw was greeted by her fellow NN Running Team athlete Eliud Kipchoge, the men&rsquo;s marathon world record-holder, at the finish line and she later recited his motto &ndash; &ldquo;no human is limited&rdquo; &ndash; which was printed on a bracelet she wore during the race. 
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 &ldquo;No human is limited &ndash; that inspires me,&rdquo; she said. So too does her compatriot Haile Gebrselassie, the multiple Olympic and world champion. &ldquo;Haile Gebrselassie told me: &lsquo;Keep going, to win!&rsquo;,&rdquo; said Yehualaw, who enjoys swimming at Gebrselassie&rsquo;s Yaya Village hotel in Sululta. &ldquo;He has experience. He said take rest, eat good food.&rdquo;
Despite being in the early stages of her own career, Yehualaw is also an inspiration to other aspiring athletes and she is seen as something of a mentor and support to younger members of her training group.
&ldquo;She helps the new generation, the newcomer athletes. She gives advice to them,&rdquo; Abshero said. &ldquo;If Nike or any of her companies give her some equipment, she gives shoes, clothes to the new generation of athletes. She says: &lsquo;Never give up,&rsquo; and she helps the athletes, she shares her experience.
&ldquo;She has an amazing mind, she respects people. If you say something, she will listen to you.&rdquo; 
<div style="padding: 0px 20px 5px 20px; border: 2px solid #b68cff;">
<h2>Yalemzerf Yehualaw&rsquo;s top five tips for aspiring athletes</h2>
 1. Start by loving and respecting yourself and those around you, followed by commitment to running and your goals.
2. You need to be disciplined. Even when it&rsquo;s raining or when you don&rsquo;t feel like it, you have to get out of bed in the morning and get those runs in.
3. That brings us to hard work, which is key. It&rsquo;s not always going to be easy but if you are committed, have discipline and work hard, you have a good shot at achieving your goals.
4. Listen to your coach and do the training they want you to do properly, especially not too fast.
5. When entering a competition, hold your head up high and believe in yourself. 
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 Yehualaw will also no doubt be motivated by the performances of her peers, during a period of remarkable depth for the women&rsquo;s marathon. Already this year, eight sub-2:18 marathons have been recorded &ndash; two of those by Yehualaw, two by Ruth Chepngetich and one each by Tigist Assefa, Brigid Kosgei, Ashete Bekere and Almaz Ayana, who ran 2:17:20 in Amsterdam earlier this month to succeed Yehualaw as the fastest ever women&rsquo;s marathon debutant.
But through it all, Yehualaw remains focused on her own ambitions.
&ldquo;I&rsquo;ve started marathon running quite early in my career, so I&rsquo;m very happy to be successful,&rdquo; she said.
&ldquo;My dream is I will try to run at the Olympics, become a world champion. I will try my best to run in the marathon.&rdquo;
Jess Whittington for World Athletics

Yalemzerf Yehualaw may have only made her marathon debut six months ago, but the Ethiopian 23-year-old has already made huge strides

Yehualaw, from 'edge of the world' to on top of it

In just the second marathon of her career, Yalemzerf Yehualaw overcame a heavy fall to win the women&rsquo;s race at the TCS London Marathon, while Kenya&rsquo;s Amos Kipruto made a decisive move with two miles to go to take the men&rsquo;s title at the World Athletics Elite Platinum road race on Sunday (2).
Yehualaw won in 2:17:26 &ndash; the third-fastest time ever achieved on the streets of London &ndash; while Kipruto&rsquo;s closing speed brought him home in 2:04:39.
The opening pace in the women&rsquo;s race was swift, as it often is on the slightly downhill section of the course. The lead pack of eight women &ndash; including Yehualaw and defending champion Joyciline Jepkosgei &ndash; passed through the first 5km in 16:01 and they reached 10km in 32:18. That early pace suggested a finishing time of 2:16:15 &ndash; well inside the women-only world record of 2:17:01 &ndash; but the tempo soon started to drop.
The same eight women were still together through 15km (48:51) and at half way, which was reached in 1:08:46. Hiwot Gebrekidan was unable to stay with the pack for much longer and the lead group was reduced to seven women by 25km (1:21:29), the pacemakers having now dropped out.
Sutume Asefa Kebede started to push the pace as the lead group embarked on the second half, with Yehualaw biding her time near the back of the pack. Jepkosgei and Joan Chelimo Melly, meanwhile, looked comfortable in the middle of the pack.
With about 10km to go, Yehualaw tripped on a bump in the road and fell hard, just as she had done at the 2020 World Half Marathon Championships where she went on to take bronze. She quickly got back up on her feet and rejoined the lead pack a minute or two later.
Melly and Ashete Bekere were next to drop off the pace, followed by Kebede, leaving just four women in the lead pack: Jepkosgei, world silver medallist Judith Jeptum, Alemu Megertu and Yehualaw. They reached 35km in 1:54:30, their predicted finishing time now outside 2:18:00, but the real racing was just beginning.
After two hours of running, Yehualaw started to increase her pace. A sub-5:00 split for the 24th mile broke up what was left of the lead pack, and within a couple of minutes the Ethiopian had a clear lead over Jepkosgei with Megertu and Jeptum further behind.
Showing no ill effects of her earlier fall, and running with the confidence of a seasoned marathon runner, Yehualaw continued to forge ahead in the closing stages and went on to win by 41 seconds in 2:17:26, just three seconds shy of the PB she set on her debut in Hamburg earlier this year. It&rsquo;s also the third-fastest time ever recorded in London, behind the world records set by Paula Radcliffe (2:15:25) and Mary Keitany (2:17:01, women-only).
"I am so happy to win here in London," said Yehualaw. "I have worked very hard to prepare for this race and to take the victory is amazing.
&ldquo;I knew it was fast paced and I was aware we were on world record-breaking time at one point, but I just focused on running as fast as I could.&rdquo;
Jepkosgei held on to finish second in 2:18:07 and Megertu completed the podium in 2:18:32, a PB by 19 seconds. For the first time ever, six women finished in 2:19:30 or quicker.
<h2>Kipruto conquers quality field for first world marathon major</h2>
The opening pace in the men&rsquo;s race was more steady and consistent than the women&rsquo;s race, but the race unfolded in a similar fashion with a group of seven men running together through the early checkpoints. They covered 5km in 14:45, 10km in 29:26 and 15km in 44:20, suggesting a finishing time inside 2:05.
Kenenisa Bekele featured prominently in the lead pack, while defending champion Sisay Lemma held back slightly near the rear of the group. World and Olympic bronze medallist Bashir Abdi and Kenya&rsquo;s Amos Kipruto were also in contention.
They reached 25km in 1:13:41, still on course for a finishing time just outside 2:04 and with the same seven men still running together. At about 33km, Bekele started to fall off the pace of the lead pack, but he stayed in the race and kept the leaders in sight.
About 15 minutes later &ndash; and at roughly the same part of the course where Yehualaw made her move in the women&rsquo;s race &ndash; Kipruto accelerated away from the rest of the pack, opening up a significant lead within a relatively short space of time. A 4:21 split for the 25th mile proved decisive and it soon became clear that victory would be his. 
<div><img style="max-width: 900px; width: 100%; display: block;" src="https://assets.aws.worldathletics.org/633991d69a20446b303baa67.JPG" alt="Amos Kipruto celebrates his win at the TCS London Marathon" />
Amos Kipruto celebrates his win at the TCS London Marathon (&copy; TCS London Marathon)
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He went on to win by more than half a minute, crossing the line in 2:04:39 to achieve his first victory in a marathon major, following three podium finishes in Berlin and Tokyo in recent years. Ethiopia&rsquo;s Leul Gebresilase came through to take second place in 2:05:12, seven seconds ahead of Abdi.
Kinde Atanaw was fourth in 2:05:27, followed by Bekele in fifth in 2:05:53, his fastest time for three years. He also becomes the first 40-year-old to run a marathon faster than 2:06.
&ldquo;This is my London debut and it&rsquo;s a wonderful day," said&nbsp;Kipruto. "I decided to make a decisive break because of my training &ndash; I was confident and I knew when to go.&rdquo;
Jon Mulkeen for World Athletics
<h3>Leading results</h3>
Women 1 Yalemzerf Yehualaw (ETH) 2:17:26 2 Joyciline Jepkosgei (KEN) 2:18:07 3 Alemu Megertu (ETH) 2:18:32 4 Judith Jeptum Korir (KEN) 2:18:43 5 Joan Chelimo Melly (ROU) 2:19:27 6 Ashete Bekere (ETH) 2:19:30 7 Mary Ngugi (KEN) 2:20:22 8 Sutume Asefa Kebede (ETH) 2:20:44 9 Ai Hosoda (JPN) 2:21:42 10 Rose Harvey (GBR) 2:27:59
Men 1 Amos Kipruto (KEN) 2:04:39 2 Leul Gebresilase (ETH) 2:05:12 3 Bashir Abdi (BEL) 2:05:19 4 Kinde Atanaw (ETH) 2:05:27 5 Kenenisa Bekele (ETH) 2:05:53 6 Birhanu Legese (ETH) 2:06:11 7 Sisay Lemma (ETH) 2:07:26 8 Brett Robinson (AUS) 2:09:52 9 Weynay Ghebresilasie (GBR) 2:11:57 10 Philip Sesemann (GBR) 2:12:10

Yehualaw clocks 2:17:26, Kipruto wins in 2:04:39

Yehualaw and Kipruto cruise to convincing wins at London Marathon

Ethiopia&rsquo;s world 10km record-holder Yalemzerf Yehualaw and defending TCS London Marathon champion Joyciline Jepkosgei headline an incredibly deep women&rsquo;s line-up for the World Athletics Elite Platinum road race on Sunday (2).
Seven women in the field have PBs faster than 2:19, while three of those &ndash; Yehualaw and Jepkosgei included &ndash; have bettered 2:17.
Yehualaw heads to the British capital undefeated in all four of her road races this year. She only made her marathon debut as recently as April, winning in Hamburg with 2:17:23 &ndash; the fastest marathon debut in history. Earlier in the year she had set a world 10km record of 29:14, while more recently she warmed up for London with a 1:04:22 victory at the Antrim Coast Half Marathon in late August.
Jepkosgei has raced just once this year, placing seventh at the Boston Marathon in April, but her past record underlines her status as a formidable opponent. She won in London last year in 2:17:43, her second victory in a marathon major, having also won in New York in 2019.
Yehualaw and Jepkosgei have clashed just once before, at the 2020 World Half Marathon Championships in Gdynia, where Yehualaw finished three places ahead of the Kenyan. But in a non-championship race over double the distance, the outcome on Sunday could be quite different.
Ashete Bekere is the third woman in the field with a sub-2:18 PB. The 2019 Berlin winner placed second in Tokyo earlier this year in 2:17:58. Having finished fourth in London in 2020 and third in 2021, she will be aiming to continue that trajectory with a top-two finish on Sunday.
Former half marathon specialist Joan Chelimo Melly finally got to grips with the marathon earlier this year, setting a Romanian record of 2:18:04 to win in Seoul. She placed seventh in London last year, but is an improved runner since then.
Sutume Asefa Kebede finished a close second to Melly in Seoul, clocking a PB of 2:18:12. The 27-year-old Ethiopian has contested nine marathons to date, winning one of them (Beijing in 2019), but this will be her first in London.
Kenya&rsquo;s Judith Jeptum Korir was a late addition to the field but is still one to watch. Earlier this year she won in Paris with a course record of 2:19:48, then improved on that mark to take silver at the World Championships in Eugene, clocking a PB of 2:18:20. She has finished in the top two of all seven of her marathons to date, winning five of them.
Ethiopia&rsquo;s Alemu Megertu and Hiwot Gebrekidan, who have set respective PBs this year of 2:18:51 and 2:19:10 add even further depth to the high quality field.
Mary Ngugi&rsquo;s PB may not be as fast as some of her rivals, but this will be her first run on one of the faster big city courses. Two successive third-place finishes in Boston underlines the Kenyan&rsquo;s pedigree.
Others in the field include Britain&rsquo;s Charlotte Purdue and Japanese duo Reia Iwade and Ai Hosoda.
Despite some late withdrawals, the men&rsquo;s race should still be a highly competitive one.
An Ethiopian victory seems fairly likely as the five fastest athletes in the field &ndash; including multiple global champion Kenenisa Bekele and defending champion Sisay Lemma all hail from the East African nation. But recent form is important too, and Kenya&rsquo;s Amos Kipruto and Belgium&rsquo;s Bashir Abdi carry plenty of that into Sunday&rsquo;s race.
Lemma, who won in the British capital last year in 2:04:01, has reached the podium in his past four marathon majors. The Ethiopian has a PB of 2:03:36 and will be keen to get close to &ndash; or improve on &ndash; that on Sunday.
Bekele ran two marathons in quick succession last year, finishing third in Berlin (2:06:47) and sixth in New York City (2:12:52). He warmed up for London with a 1:01:01 clocking at the recent Great North Run. It doesn&rsquo;t suggest he&rsquo;s in form to match his 2:01:41 PB, but he should still be competitive.
Two-time Tokyo Marathon winner Birhanu Legese finished fifth in London last year, but hasn&rsquo;t raced at all since then. His 2:02:48 PB dates back to his runner-up finish at the 2019 Berlin Marathon. Fellow Ethiopian Kinde Atanaw also has a PB from 2019, his 2:03:51 set when winning in Valencia on his marathon debut. He was 10th in Boston earlier this year, but the London course may be more to his liking.
Leul Gebresilase is another athlete whose PB dates back to his marathon debut. He clocked 2:04:02 in Dubai back in 2018, then went on to win in Valencia later that year. Highly consistent around the 2:05 mark, Gebresilase sas second in Rotterdam this year in 2:04:56.
Kipruto, the 2019 world bronze medallist, set a PB of 2:03:13 in Tokyo earlier this year when finishing second to Eliud Kipchoge, just 33 seconds adrift of the legendary Kenyan. Another run like that from Kipruto would be difficult to beat.
Abdi has proven himself to be capable of performing well at major championships and in big city marathons. When he last raced in London, back in 2019, he set a national record of 2:07:03. Now a world and Olympic bronze medallist, Abdi set a European record of 2:03:36 at the 2021 Rotterdam Marathon.
Japan&rsquo;s Naoki Okamoto, Naoki Aiba and Kohei Futaoka add further depth to the field, as does Australia&rsquo;s Brett Robinson.

Seven women in the field have sub-2:19 PBs

Yehualaw takes on defending champion Jepkosgei in high quality London clash

Adding another strong run to her CV, Yalemzerf Yehualaw clocked 1:04:22 to retain her crown at the Antrim Coast Half Marathon, a World Athletics Elite Label Road Race, in Larne, Northern Ireland, on Sunday (28).
Her Ethiopian compatriot Jemal Yimer also became a back-to-back winner at the event, the national record-holder running 59:04 as both athletes set UK all-comers' records.
For Yehualaw, who ran a 1:03:51 half marathon PB in Valencia last October, her performance is the equal fifth-fastest ever women&rsquo;s half marathon achieved on a record-eligible course. The 23-year-old appeared to have broken the women&rsquo;s world record with her 1:03:44 run in Larne last year, but the course was later found to have been 54 metres short. That world record has since been taken to a remarkable 1:02:52 by Letesenbet Gidey, who achieved the feat in Valencia last October, and Yehualaw was on pace to challenge that mark in the early stages of Sunday&rsquo;s race in Larne. On a fast opening section of the course, she was paced through 5km in 14:44, with Gidey having recorded 15:00 for that split in Valencia 10 months ago.
Although that pace couldn&rsquo;t be maintained, Yehualaw &ndash; who set a world 10km record of 29:14 in Castellon in February &ndash; still passed the 10km mark in 29:52, running behind pacemaker Roy Hoornweg and alongside Britain&rsquo;s Callum Hawkins, the two-time world marathon fourth-place finisher who is making a comeback after injury.
Hoornweg stepped aside when the group reached 13km in around 39:10 and there started Yehualaw&rsquo;s solo run to the finish line, with Hawkins striding ahead. Yehualaw, who ran the fastest ever women&rsquo;s marathon debut with 2:17:23 in Hamburg in April, went on to pass the 15km mark in 45:27 and reached the finish in 1:04:22. Only she, Gidey, Ruth Chepngetich and Girmawit Gebrzihair have ever gone faster for the distance.
Moving to 12th on the world all-time list was Yehualaw&rsquo;s compatriot Tsehay Gemechu, who passed 10km in 30:33 and went on to finish in a PB of 1:05:01 for the runner-up spot. Kenya&rsquo;s Beatrice Chepkemoi Mutai was third in 1:07:37 and Ireland&rsquo;s Fionnuala Ross fourth in 1:14:00.
&ldquo;I am so happy to win this race,&rdquo; Yehualaw said on the live BBC stream. &ldquo;I was thinking of the world record. The first 10km was fast, the last 5km was slower. I will try it next time. I hope I will be back, I like this race.&rdquo;
In the men&rsquo;s race, Yimer was part of a lead group that passed 5km in 14:10 and he broke away a couple of kilometres later to lead by nine seconds at the 10km mark. He clocked 28:16 at that point, ahead of Kenya&rsquo;s Alfred Ngeno and Shadrack Kimining, plus Ethiopia&rsquo;s Tesfahun Akalnew.
Yimer had increased his lead to more than a minute by 15km, which he passed in 42:13, and he continued untroubled to reach the finish line in 59:04.
Ngeno held on for second in 1:01:00, while Kimining was third in 1:01:08 and Akalnew fourth in 1:01:44. Britain&rsquo;s Marc Scott finished fifth in 1:02:58.
<h2>Leading results&nbsp;</h2>
Women 1 Yalemzerf Yehualaw (ETH) 1:04:22 2 Tsehay Gemechu (ETH) 1:05:01 3 Beatrice Chepkemoi Mutai (KEN) 1:07:37 4 Fionnuala Ross (IRL) 1:14:00 5 Kate Drew (GBR) 1:14:30&nbsp;
Men 1 Jemal Yimer (ETH) 59:04 2 Alfred Ngeno (KEN) 1:01:00 3 Shadrack Kimining (KEN) 1:01:08 4 Tesfahun Akalnew (ETH) 1:01:44 5 Marc Scott (GBR) 1:02:58
<a href="https://www.worldathletics.org/competition/calendar-results/results/7176695" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Full results</a>

Yalemzerf Yehualaw clocks 1:04:22 to retain her crown at the Antrim Coast Half Marathon

Yehualaw and Yimer run UK all-comers' records in Larne

World record-holder Brigid Kosgei, defending champion Joyciline Jepkosgei and the fastest ever women&rsquo;s marathon debutant, Yalemzerf Yehualaw, will star in a highly-anticipated clash at the TCS London Marathon&nbsp;on 2 October.
A total of nine sub-2:20 athletes have been announced for the women&rsquo;s field in the World Athletics&nbsp;Elite Platinum&nbsp;Label road race.
Kenya&rsquo;s Kosgei returns to London looking to win her third London Marathon crown after victories in 2019 and 2020. The Olympic silver medallist, who set the world record of 2:14:04 in Chicago in 2019, finished a surprise fourth in London last year but bounced back to win this year&rsquo;s Tokyo Marathon in a world-leading time of 2:16:02.
The 2021 champion Jepkosgei &ndash; a former world record-holder over the half marathon distance and winner of the 2019 New York City Marathon &ndash; ran a personal best of 2:17:43 to win last year&rsquo;s London Marathon, the fastest time in the world in 2021.
For Yehualaw, who broke the world 10km record with 29:14 in Castellon in February, the London event offers her the chance to return to marathon racing after her 2:17:23 in Hamburg in April &ndash; the fastest ever women&rsquo;s marathon debut.
Ethiopian duo Degitu Azimeraw and Ashete Bekere, who finished second and third in London last year, also return. Bekere finished second behind Kosgei at this year&rsquo;s Tokyo Marathon in a PB of 2:17:58.
They will be joined by fellow sub-2:20 runners Joan Chelimo Melly (2:18:04), Sutume Asefa Kebede (2:18:12), Alemu Megertu (2:18:51) and Hiwot Gebrekidan (2:19:10) as well as former world half marathon record holder Ababel Yeshaneh (2:20:51).
British No.1 Charlotte Purdue also returns to the race as the fourth-fastest British women&rsquo;s marathon runner of all time following her 2:23:26 to finish 10th overall in last year&rsquo;s London Marathon.
She will be joined by her compatriot Eilish McColgan, who makes her marathon debut 26 years after her mum Liz won the 1996 edition of the London race. Eilish steps up to 26.2 miles following national record performances over 5km, 10km and half marathon this year.
Ethiopia&rsquo;s Girmawit Gebrzihair, who ran 1:04:14 to win the Ras Al Khaimah Half Marathon in February, also makes her marathon debut.&nbsp;
Organisers for World Athletics
<h2>Elite women&rsquo;s field</h2>
Brigid Kosgei (KEN) 2:14:04 Yalemzerf Yehualaw (ETH) 2:17:23 Joyciline Jepkosgei (KEN) 2:17:43 Degitu Azimeraw (ETH) 2:17:58 Ashete Bekere (ETH) 2:17:58 Joan Chelimo Melly (ROU) 2:18:04 Sutume Asefa Kebede (ETH) 2:18:12 Alemu Megertu (ETH) 2:18:51 Hiwot Gebrekidan (ETH) 2:19:10 Ababel Yeshaneh (ETH) 2:20:51 Mary Ngugi (KEN) 2:21:32 Charlotte Purdue (GBR) 2:23:26 Reia Iwade (JPN) 2:23:52 Stephanie Twell (GBR) 2:26:40 Rose Harvey (GBR) 2:27:20 Marci Klimek (USA) 2:30:48 Samantha Harrison (GBR) 2:32:22 Anna Bracegirdle (GBR) 2:34:20 Emma Styles (GBR) 2:37:36 Girmawit Gebrzihair (ETH) debut Eilish McColgan (GBR) debut

World record-holder Brigid Kosgei, defending champion Joyciline Jepkosgei and the fastest ever women’s marathon debutant, Yalemzerf Yehualaw, will race on 2 October

Kosgei, Jepkosgei and Yehualaw star in strong London Marathon field

Rising Ethiopian star Yalemzerf Yehualaw broke the world 10km record* at the Castell&oacute;n 10K, clocking 29:14 at the World Athletics Label road race held on Sunday (27) in the Spanish coastal city.
In doing so, the world half marathon bronze medallist improved the ratified record of 29:43 by Joyciline Jepkosgei and the yet-to-be-ratified mark of 29:38 set last year by Bahrain&rsquo;s Kalkidan Gezahegne. She also becomes the first woman in history to dip under the 29:30 and 29:20 barriers on the roads.
It was vindication of sorts for Yehualaw, who for various reasons had missed out on potential world records in recent months. In August last year she clocked 1:03:44 for a half marathon in Larne, which would have been a world record, but the course was found to be 54 metres short. Two months later she replicated that form with a 1:03:51 clocking in Valencia &ndash; which would have also been a world record, were it not for the fact that Letesenbet Gidey finished ahead of her in a world record of 1:02:52.
Yehualaw had intended to break the world record at the 10K Valencia at the start of January, but a positive Covid test ruled her out of the event. But she was finally able to enjoy a disruption-free preparation for today&rsquo;s race in Castellon, and after all her previous near-misses, she didn&rsquo;t want to let the opportunity go to waste.
In a race held under ideal weather conditions (12C and no wind), and with pacing assistance from Dutch distance runner Richard Douma, Yehualaw set off at a swift pace. The opening kilometre was covered in 2:51, which was then followed with successive splits of 2:52 and 2:53. By 3km, reached in 8:36, Yehualaw was on pace for a sub-29-minute finish.
She went through halfway in a stunning 14:28 &ndash; one of the fastest 5km clockings in history &ndash; and was still inside 29-minute pace. The Ethiopian&rsquo;s rhythm slowed a bit during the second half, her seventh kilometre of 3:00 being the slowest of her run, but a final kilometre of 2:52 (and a second half of 14:46) was enough to carry her to a 29:14 finish.
For 10,000m on the track, only two women have bettered Yehualaw&rsquo;s time: her compatriot Letesenbet Gidey (29:01:03) and Sifan Hassan of the Netherlands (29:06.82).
Further back, Kenya's Vicoty Chepngeno, who last month won the Houston Half Marathon in a big PB of 1:05:03, finished second in 30:14, while 2013 world 5000m silver medallist Mercy Cherono completed the podium in 30:48.
&ldquo;It was hard for me not to be able to compete in Valencia in January but I resumed my training and faced today&rsquo;s race very optimistically,&rdquo; said Yehualaw, whose idols include Haile Gebrselassie and Meseret Defar. &ldquo;I knew I had the world record in my legs and wanted to produce a challenging performance for any athletes who may attempt the record in the near future.
&ldquo;I'll likely do a half marathon in the coming months,&rdquo; added Yehualaw, who is coached by Tessema Abshero. &ldquo;I won't focus on the track season because I probably wouldn&rsquo;t challenge for a place on Ethiopia&rsquo;s 10,000m team for the World Championships. Instead, I plan to tackle the marathon later in the year and the World Half Marathon Championships in Yangzhou in November.&rdquo;
The men&rsquo;s race was won by Kenya's Ronald Kwemoi in a course record of 27:16 ahead of his brother Samwel Chebolei (27:18) while Ethiopia's Tadese Takele completed the podium in 27:20.
In the absence of pacemakers, the leading trio ran together throughout. Chebolei, fresh from convincing wins at the Kenyan Cross Country Championships and the Cross Country Tour Gold meeting in Eldoret, took on most of the pacing duties with Kwemoi and steeplechaser Takele tucked behind.
Kwemoi, the world U20 1500m record-holder, waited until the final 400 metres to unleash a devastating final kick, winning in 27:16 in what was his first ever road race. Chebolei had to settle for second place in 27:18 and debutant Takele was third in 27:20.
&ldquo;I enjoyed the race, the circuit is very fast,&rdquo; said Kwemoi, a multiple world and Olympic finalist over 1500m, who intends to stick to his specialist distance this year. &ldquo;I decided to attack only in the closing stages as I'm a 1500m runner and knew I would be able to win that way.&rdquo;
Emeterio Valiente for World Athletics
*Subject to the usual ratification procedure 
<h2>Leading results</h2>
Women 1 Yalemzerf Yehualaw (ETH) 29:14 2 Vicoty Chepngeno (KEN) 30:14 3 Mercy Cherono (KEN) 30:48 4 Naomi Chepngeno (KEN) 31:33 5 Valentine Jebet (KEN) 32:51 Men 1 Ronald Kwemoi (KEN) 27:16 2 Samwel Chebolei (KEN) 27:18 3 Tadese Takele Bikila (ETH) 27:21 4 Thierry Ndikumwenayo (BDI) 28:04 5 Hicham Sigueni (MAR) 28:58

World half marathon bronze medallist becomes first to break 29:30 on the roads

Yehualaw smashes world 10km record with 29:14 in Castellon

World half marathon bronze medallist Yalemzerf Yehualaw opened her 2022 season in spectacular style by claiming victory at the Total Energies Great Ethiopian Run 10km, taking 38 seconds off her own race record with 31:17.
Her winning time is the fastest 10km ever recorded at altitude, with Addis Ababa standing 2350m above sea level. Gemechu Dida won a close men's race in 28:24, just five seconds shy of the long-standing race record.
Yehualaw, who set the previous event record of 31:55 in 2019, came into the race eager to impress after having to withdraw from the Valencia 10km just two weeks ago. Today she ran a smart race, making her break from long-time leader Girmawit Gebregziabiher, the 2018 world U20 5000m bronze medallist, just past the 7.5km mark after cresting the hill near the National Palace.
At the 9km turn at Urael Church, Yehuawlaw accelerated dramatically and pulled clear of her rival, cruising to the finish line to win by 12 seconds from Gebregziabiher, who clocked 31:29. Double world U20 medallist Melknat Wedu, still just 17 years of age, finished third in 31:45.
The men&rsquo;s race was much closer, with six athletes still in contention in the final 500 metres. In the end it was Dida who took a surprise victory over former Dubai Marathon champion Getaneh Molla with Boki Diriba finishing third as two seconds separated the podium finishers.
The highest-placed non-Ethiopian athlete was Kenya&rsquo;s Cornelius Kibet Kemboi, who finished sixth in 28:39. A total of 17,600 runners finished the mass race.
Organisers for World Athletics
<h2>Leading results</h2>
Women 1 Yalemzerf Yehualaw (ETH) 31:17 2 Girmawit Gebrzihair (ETH) 31:29 3 Melknat Wedu (ETH) 31:45 4 Gete Alemayehu (ETH) 32:06 5 Bosena Mulate (ETH) 32:17 6 Hawi Feyisa (ETH) 32:18 7 Birtukan Wolde (ETH) 32:22 8 Anchinalu Desse (ETH) 32:38 9 Mebrat Gidey (ETH) 32:42 10 Ayenaddis Teshome (ETH) 32:49
Men 1 Gemechu Dida (ETH) 28:24 2 Getaneh Molla (ETH) 28:25 3 Boki Diriba (ETH) 28:26 4 Moges Tuemay (ETH) 28:31 5 Getachew Masresha (ETH) 28:33 6 Cornelius Kibet Kemboi (KEN) 28:39 7 Teresa Ggnakola (ETH) 28:43 8 Solomon Berihun (ETH) 28:55 9 Ashenafi Kiros (ETH) 28:59 10 Antenayehu Dagnachew (ETH) 29:05

World half marathon bronze medallist clocks 31:17, taking 38 seconds off the race record

Yehualaw breaks race record at Great Ethiopian Run

Ethiopia&rsquo;s Yalemzerf Yehualaw took 18 seconds off the world half marathon record, running a remarkable 1:03:44* at the Antrim Coast Half Marathon, a World Athletics Label Road Race, in Larne, Northern Ireland, on Sunday (29).
Yehualaw becomes the first woman to break 64 minutes for the half marathon, with her mark improving on the 1:04:02 world record which had been set by Kenya&rsquo;s world marathon champion Ruth Chepngetich in Istanbul on 4 April.
Yehualaw had been second in that race in Istanbul, running 1:04:40, but this time her dominant performance saw her win the women's race by six minutes ahead of Kenya&rsquo;s 19-year-old Jane Nyaboke (1:09:45), who was racing internationally for the first time. Britain's Rose Harvey was third (1:10:29) and Georgie Schwiening fourth (1:11:13), with Northern Ireland's Fionnuala Ross (1:13:10) and Ann-Marie McGlynn (1:13:13) fifth and sixth respectively. Yehualaw's time placed her ninth overall.
Paced by Roy Hoornweg and Mohamed Ali, Yehualaw was part of a pack of runners which went through the 5km mark in 15:05 and hit 10km in 30:22. Running back along the coast, Yehualaw passed the 15km mark in 45:24 looking comfortable and continued to push on, eventually crossing the finish line full of emotion, with 1:03:44 on the clock.
&ldquo;This was a dream come true for me,&rdquo; 22-year-old Yehualaw said on the live BBC stream. &ldquo;I have tried twice before to break the world record but it didn&rsquo;t happen, but I&rsquo;m so happy it happened today in Larne.&rdquo;
The performance would have meant even more to Yehualaw after she finished fourth in the Ethiopian Trials 10,000m and did not make the team for the Olympic Games in Tokyo. She was also left motivated after her third-place finish at the World Athletics Half Marathon Championships in Gdynia last October.
&ldquo;At the World Half Marathon Championships I was trying to win gold but it didn&rsquo;t happen,&rdquo; Yehualaw added. &ldquo;But today I&rsquo;m so happy.&rdquo; 
<img src="https://assets.aws.worldathletics.org/612b7c25c71d5f561279151d.jpg" alt="" width="100%" /> Yehualaw celebrates her world record&nbsp;(&copy; Antrim Coast Half Marathon)
 Coached by Tessema Abshero as part of the&nbsp;NN Running Team, Yalemzerf made her international debut in 2019 when she won the Rabat Half Marathon in 1:09:13. Returning to Rabat four months later, she won the&nbsp;African Games title and then finished second at the&nbsp;Delhi Half Marathon.
Her bronze medal win at the 2020 World Half Marathon Championships was followed by victory in Delhi, where her winning time of 1:04:46 was then the second-fastest ever women&rsquo;s half marathon. In Istanbul in April she improved to 1:04:40 which put her third on a world all-time list since rewritten thanks to her 1:03:44 in Larne.
It was an Ethiopian double in Larne as national record-holder Jemal Yimer won a close men's race in 1:00:30 ahead of his compatriot Tesfahun Akalnew (1:00:31) and Kenya's Shadrack Kimining (1:00:32).
A lead group of four had broken away early on and Kimining led Britain's Marc Scott, Yimer and Akalnew through 10km in 28:53. Kimining remained to the fore as the group passed 15km in 43:29 but as the race came down to a sprint finish it was 2017 world 10,000m fifth-placer Yimer who had the strongest kick and he held off Akalnew by a single second, with Kimining just another second behind. Scott finished fourth in 1:00:35 and Nigel Martin fifth in 1:03:22, with Ireland's Ryan Creech sixth in 1:03:26.
"I am happy with my win," said Yimer, who is set to make his marathon debut in Boston in October. "I had prepared for a course record but due to the wind and the circumstances I didn&rsquo;t make sub-60 but I am happy with the win."
*Subject to the usual ratification procedure

Ethiopia’s Yalemzerf Yehualaw took 18 seconds off the world half marathon record, running a remarkable 1:03:44* at the Antrim Coast Half Marathon.

Yehualaw smashes world half marathon record in Larne

With the strongest field ever assembled in the race&rsquo;s 16-year history, it would not be over-optimistic to expect that one or two records will tumble at the N Kolay Istanbul Half Marathon, a World Athletics Elite Label road race, on Sunday (4).&nbsp;
Even though several other stars will line up on the day, the spotlight will be on the duel between the reigning world half-marathon record-holder Kibiwott Kandie and his predecessor Geoffrey Kamworor. Having run under 59 minutes in his three outings over the distance earlier on in 2020, Kandie ended the year on an even higher note by clocking a world record time of 57:32 in Valencia. Kamworor, who set the previous record of 58:01 in Copenhagen in September 2019, was out of action at the time as he recovered&nbsp;from surgery after he was hit by a motorcycle in June last year, but returned to the course two months ago at the Kenya Police Service Championships where he bagged his eighth successive title. Both Kenyans could run well under the race record of 59:50 held by Amdework Walelegn of Ethiopia.
Walelegn, who won in Istanbul in 2018, is himself one the contenders. The 22-year-old ranked the top Ethiopian when finishing third in his then personal best of 59:08 at the World Athletics Half Marathon Championships in Gdynia last year. Walelegn then improved his PB to 58:53 in New Delhi in November. The Istanbul Half Marathon will be Walelegn&rsquo;s first race since and he will be one of the favourites to step on the podium.
Another sub-59-minute runner on the start line will be Stephen Kissa. The Ugandan had never run a half-marathon until February 2020 when he made his debut in Barcelona with 1:00:00. Kissa crossed the finish line in 1:00:34 at the World Athletics Half Marathon Championships, then went on to achieve a PB of 58:56 in New Delhi in what was only his third appearance over the distance.&nbsp;
Also an outstanding name in the field is Kenya&rsquo;s Leonard Barsoton, who could be described as a consistent runner. Sixth in Gdynia 2020 with 59:34, Barsoton finished the year with 59:10. The World Cross Country Championships silver medallist from 2017, Barsoton ran his lifetime best of 59:09 in 2019.
Hopes are high that the competition between the local stars Kaan Kigen Ozbilen and Aras Kaya will result in a national record. Ozbilen, the European marathon record-holder with 2:04:16, holds the Turkish half-marathon record of 59:48, the time he set in Ras Al Khaimah in 2019. Kaya ran his career best at the World Athletics Half Marathon Championships in Gdynia, finishing the race in 1:00:51, two minutes ahead of his compatriot. In-shape Kaya was a distant winner at the National Inter-Clubs Cross Country League where Ozbilen did not participate, covering the 10km in 27:28 on 13 March.
It is also worth watching out for Amanal Petros of Germany. Having run 1:01:37 in very windy conditions in Dresden only two weeks ago, the national marathon record-holder has travelled to Istanbul eyeing the half-marathon record of 1:00:34 which has stood since 1993.&nbsp;
There should also be an interesting battle on the women&rsquo;s side. Kenya&rsquo;s Brigid Kosgei, the marathon world record-holder, will face Yalemzerf Yehualaw of Ethiopia, the second-fastest female half-marathon runner in history. Kosgei herself is the third athlete on the half-marathon all-time list. However, the 27-year-old holds the fastest time ever registered, 1:04:28, but on a non-record-eligible course at the Great North Run in 2019. Both Kosgei and Yehualaw achieved their official personal bests in 2020, 1:04:46 and 1:04:49 respectively.
The field also includes Ruth Chepngetich, the reigning world marathon champion, who won this race twice in her two appearances in 2017 and 2019. The Kenyan is also the owner of the race record with a time of 1:05:30 from two years ago. The Istanbul Half Marathon will be Chepngetich&rsquo;s first half-marathon since she ran a PB of 1:05:06 in New Delhi last November. As she is familiar with the Istanbul course, which had only a slight tweak this year to avoid an underpass, Chepngetich will start the race as a co-favourite.
Another Kenyan in contention will be Joan Chelimo Melly whose lifetime best is 1:05:04 from Prague 2018. In her only two outings in 2020, Melly finished the Ras Al Khaimah Half Marathon in 1:06:16 in February and the Valencia Marathon in 2:20:57 in December. Like several others in the race, Melly will step on the race course for the first time in 2021.&nbsp;
Half-marathon women-only world record-holder Peres Jepchirchir had to withdraw due to a stomach issue with one week to go. On the other hand, two-time world champion and Olympic silver medallist in 5000m, Hellen Obiri, is a late addition to the field. The Kenyan star may be new to the roads, but she proved to be as strong as on track when winning the 10km in 30:53 in Barcelona three months ago. Obiri would have run her first half-marathon in Ras Al Khaimah earlier this year had the event not been cancelled due the pandemic. She is now set to debut in Istanbul.
Germany's Melat Kejeta was a surprise silver medallist at the World Athletics Half Marathon Championships in Gdynia last year. Her huge PB of 1:05:18 registered as the European women-only record.&nbsp;
Two other women in the line-up have bettered 67 minutes. Alia Saeed Mohammed of the United Arab Emirates boasts of a PB of 1:06:13 from 2018. Yasemin Can, seventh at the World Athletics Half Marathon Championships with a national record of 1:06:20, is the focus of the home nation&rsquo;s hopes in the women&rsquo;s race.&nbsp;
Others to watch include the Ethiopians Bekelech Gudeta (1:07:03) and Hiwot Gebrekidan (1:07:36), and the Kenyan Stella Rutto (1:07:45).
The race records in Istanbul, 59:50 and 1:05:30, also stand as the Turkish all-comers records.
Can Korkmazoglu (organisers) for World Athletics

With the strongest field ever assembled in the race’s 16-year history, it would not be over-optimistic to expect that one or two records will tumble at the N Kolay Istanbul Half Marathon, a World Athletics Elite Label road race, on Sunday (4).

Records set to fall at Istanbul Half Marathon

Organisers of the N Kolay Istanbul Half Marathon have announced the most remarkable line-up in the history of this World Athletics Elite Label road race, to be held on 4 April.
Having staged a successful edition under intense measures against Covid-19 in September last year, the event is now set to host a limited number of 4000 participants on its traditional date of the first Sunday of April.
The race will see the long-awaited clash of the reigning and former world record-holders over the distance. Kibiwott Kandie of Kenya, now the world&rsquo;s fastest half-marathon runner, improved the time set by his compatriot Geoffrey Kamworor in Valencia in December, bringing down the world record to 57:32 from 58:01. Kamworor, who has three World Athletics Half Marathon Championships gold medals under his belt, will be back on the roads following his recovery from surgery after he was hit by a motorcycle in June last year.
The two Kenyans will be joined by two sub-59 minute runners in Amedework Walelegn of Ethiopia, the Istanbul Half Marathon record-holder who won in 59:50 in 2018, and Uganda's Stephen Kissa, who made his debut over the distance in February 2020 and finished the year with a time of 58:56. Kenya&rsquo;s Leonard Barsoton, sixth at the World Athletics Half Marathon Championships in Gdynia last year, will also be one of the fastest athletes on the start line.
Home hopes in Istanbul will be led by Kaan Kigen Ozbilen, who holds the national record with 59:48. Aras Kaya, European cross country champion in 2019, will also be a strong contender in the event that incorporates the National Half Marathon Championships.
The women&rsquo;s field is equally as strong. Kenya&rsquo;s marathon world record-holder Brigid Kosgei and the women-only half-marathon world record-holder Peres Jepchirchir, plus the second fastest female half-marathon runner of all time Yalemzerf Yehualaw of Ethiopia, will head the line-up.
Kenyan Ruth Chepngetich, the race record-holder and the reigning world marathon champion, will be a co-favourite in the race along with Joan Chelimo Melly.
The European women-only record-holder Melat Kejeta from Germany will also be on the start line on 4 April. The home crowd expects Kejeta&rsquo;s record to be challenged by Yasemin Can.
Kamworor,&nbsp;Kandie,&nbsp;Kosgei and&nbsp;Yehualaw had been among the athletes set to race at the&nbsp;Ras Al Khamimah Half Marathon in February before it was cancelled due to the pandemic.
Can Korkmazoglu (organisers) for World Athletics
&nbsp;
Top 10 fastest in the 2021&nbsp;Istanbul Half Marathon fields:
Women Yalemzerf Yehualaw (ETH) 1:04:46 Brigid Kosgei (KEN) 1:04:49 Joan Chelimo Melly (KEN) 1:05:04 Ruth Chepngetich (KEN) 1:05:06 Peres Jepchirchir (KEN) 1:05:06 Melat Kejeta (GER) 1:05:18 Alia Saeed Mohammed (UAE) 1:06:13 Yasemin Can (TUR) 1:06:20 Bekelech Gudeta (ETH) 1:07:03 Hiwot Gebrekidan (ETH) 1:07:36
Men Kibiwott Kandie (KEN) 57:32 Geoffrey Kamworor (KEN) 58:01 Amedework Walelegn (ETH) 58:53 Stephen Kissa (UGA) 58:56 Leonard Barsoton (KEN) 59:09 Kaan Kigen Ozbilen (TUR) 59:48 Aras Kaya (TUR) 1:00:51 Roncer Kipkorir (KEN) 1:01:19 Amanal Petros (GER) 1:01:37 Getaye Gelaw (ETH) 1:01:42

Organisers of the N Kolay Istanbul Half Marathon have announced the most remarkable line-up in the history of this World Athletics Elite Label road race, to be held on 4 April.

Star-studded fields announced for Istanbul Half Marathon

The 56th edition of the San Silvestre Vallecana will be held, as is tradition, on New Year&rsquo;s Eve in Madrid, but this year there have been some significant changes to the World Athletics Gold Label road race.
Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, organisers have been forced to design a new circuit and so the race won&rsquo;t start alongside Real Madrid&rsquo;s famous Santiago Bernabeu stadium, nor will it finish in the stadium of another Spanish first division football club, Rayo Vallecano. Instead, competitors will have to cover four laps of a flat 2.5km circuit, meaning &ndash; unlike previous years when the race was held on a slightly downhill course &ndash; performances will be record-eligible.
The mass race, which often attracts about 40,000 runners, has been cancelled and only the elite contests will be held with separate starts for men and women.
The showdown between Ethiopia&rsquo;s Yalemzerf Yehualaw and Kenya&rsquo;s Ruth Chepngetich in the women&rsquo;s race promises to be one of the highlights of the evening.
Yehualaw is in the form of her life. After taking bronze at the World Athletics Half Marathon Championships Gdynia 2020, the 21-year-old Ethiopian stormed to a 1:04:46 victory over the same distance in New Delhi in late November, beating Chepngetich in the process. Yehualaw now sits second on the world all-time list behind compatriot Ababel Yeshaneh, while Chepngetich, the world marathon champion, emerged from New Delhi with a lifetime best of 1:05:06.
Yehualaw&rsquo;s fastest clocking in a standalone 10km race is 31:55, recorded more than a year ago at altitude in Addis Ababa. It&rsquo;s worth noting, however, that she recorded 30:49 and 30:43 for the two 10km sections in New Delhi.
Chepngetich, meanwhile, has an official PB of 31:12 and she recorded 30:57 on Madrid&rsquo;s downhill course last year. She, too, passed through the first 10km in New Delhi in 30:49.
Ethiopia&rsquo;s Likina Amebaw, a 32:55 performer over 10km, is expected to battle with top Spaniards Luc&iacute;a Rodr&iacute;guez and Irene S&aacute;nchez-Escribano in the hunt for a place on the podium.
The men&rsquo;s race features Olympic 5000m silver medallist Paul Chelimo. Having finished fourth and second at the World Athletics Cross Country Permit meetings in Elgoibar and Seville respectively in January, the 30-year-old US distance runner will compete in Spain for the third time this year.
His most recent outing was a cross-country race in November in Terre Haute where he finished second. His last completed race before that was the 3000m at the US Indoor Championships, which he won. Chelimo&rsquo;s main aim in Madrid will be to break the US 10km record of 27:48, co-held by Bernard Lagat and Mark Nenow. The continental record of 27:41, held by Mexico&rsquo;s Arturo Barrios, could also be within his sights.
Kenya&rsquo;s Daniel Simiu Ebenyo appears to be the most in-form athlete heading into the race. The 25-year-old set a big 10km PB of 27:18 in Berlin in September to move to fourth on this season&rsquo;s list.
Burundi&rsquo;s Thierry Ndikumwenayo, who finished ninth at the 2019 World Cross in Aarhus, is also one to watch. He has recently enjoyed a one-month training stint in Tenerife in the company of Italian 3000m and 5000m record-holder Yemaneberhan Crippa.
Many of the top Spaniards will be in Madrid, headed by Ouassim Oumaiz, Toni Abad&iacute;a, Javier Guerra, Fernando Carro, Ayad Lamdassem and Yago Rojo. Oumaiz improved to 13:13.14 over 5000m this summer, Abad&iacute;a holds the national 10km record at 27:48, Guerra is fresh from a 1:01:21 PB at the Valencia Half Marathon, European steeplechase silver medallist Carro clocked 27:46 last month at a downhill event in Alcobendas, 39-year-old Lamdassem is the newly-minted Spanish marathon record-holder with a 2:06:35 clocking in Valencia, and Rojo is a newcomer to the elite, having run under 2:10 on his marathon debut earlier this month.
Mike Foppen of the Netherlands has enjoyed a strong 2020 campaign, breaking the national 5000m record with 13:13.06 in Monaco and clocking a 10,000m PB of 27:59.10 in Lieden. He should be a factor in Madrid, while compatriot Richard Douma (28:08), Sweden&rsquo;s David Nilsson (28:12) and Israel&rsquo;s Maru Teferi (28:18) complete the international line-up.
Weather forecasters predict a cold night (5C) by the time of the event and a high likelihood of rain.
Emeterio Valiente for World Athletics

The 56th edition of the San Silvestre Vallecana will be held, as is tradition, on New Year’s Eve in Madrid, but this year there have been some significant changes to the World Athletics Gold Label road race.

Yehualaw and Simiu poised to strike in Madrid

Finding the next great endurance talent from the conveyor belt that is East African running has almost become a sport within a sport.
Fans and writers alike love to speculate on the next Eliud Kipchoge or Tirunesh Dibaba and while predicting future talent can be a tricky business there is little doubt that the huge amount of recent attention thrust upon Yalemzerf Yehualaw is justified.
Boasting just two years of international experience, the Ethiopian has already snared an African Games half marathon title and claimed a Word Half Marathon Championships bronze - and but for an unfortunate slip it could have been more.
Yet perhaps most eye-catching of all was her blistering performance at the Delhi Half Marathon on 29 November when she claimed victory in 1:04:46, the second fastest women&rsquo;s performance of all-time.&nbsp;
&ldquo;Many Ethiopian athletes have a natural gift but Yalemzerf had three very good qualities: speed, endurance and good core strength,&rdquo; says her coach Tessema Abshero.
&ldquo;Looking at her speed and body structure, I have not been surprised by her performances over the past two years.&rdquo;&nbsp;
<h2>A standout from age 12 </h2>
Born the eldest of six siblings, Yehualaw enjoyed a typical rural upbringing in West Gojjam in the Amhara region of Ethiopia.
From the age of 12 she was winning track races at school before later progressing to youth track titles in her highly-competitive region.
Such was her talent, she was invited to join the Ethiopian Athletics Federation Academy in Addis Ababa and then, three years ago, to join the NN Running Team coached by Abshero, a group which includes 2019 Amsterdam Marathon winner Degitu Azimeraw and Ethiopian 10km road record holder, Tsehay Gemechu, who has become a close friend.
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&ldquo;I was very happy to join Tessema&rsquo;s group,&rdquo; explains the ever-smiling Yehaulaw. &ldquo;He is a good coach with a good structure, and I also have very strong training partners.&rdquo;
Visa issues delayed the opportunity to race overseas in 2018 but after she finally made her international debut in the Rabat Half Marathon in April last year, she did not disappoint. Claiming victory in the Moroccan capital by a winning by a margin of almost three minutes in 1:09:13, she declared herself &ldquo;very satisfied&rdquo; with her efforts.
A little over two weeks later, she performed with pride on the track to finish fifth at the Ethiopian Championships over 10,000m. Running at an altitude in excess of 2300m she recorded 32:21 &ndash; in a race won by world 5000m record-holder Letesenbet Gidey.
<h2>Victory in first national team appearance </h2>
Highly encouraged by her performance level, Abshero made a strong case for her selection in the Ethiopian team for the half marathon at the African Games in Rabat.
Given her half marathon potential coupled with her experience of racing and winning in the Moroccan city, selectors were convinced by Abshero&rsquo;s urgings and Yehualaw secured a berth on the Ethiopian team &ndash; alongside her training partner Degitu Azimeraw &ndash; for the half marathon distance.
Abshero viewed competing at the African Games as a genuine medal opportunity and was confident his athletes could climb the podium.
&ldquo;I said to them, &lsquo;try and help each other during the race and in the final kilometre decide the order.&rsquo; Looking at how they were performing in training, I knew both ladies could win the medals.&rdquo;
Abshero was right to be confident as the Ethiopian pair dominated. However, it was Yehualaw who prevailed to win by a five-second margin in 1:10:26 and strike gold on her debut for Ethiopia.
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&ldquo;I was very happy to win gold and see the Ethiopian flag so high,&rdquo; she explains. &ldquo;Victory in Rabat gave me a lot of confidence for my future competitions and also a certain financial security.&rdquo;
Buoyed by her performance in Rabat and boasting a new profile, Yehualaw was suddenly a woman in demand. At the 2019 Delhi Half Marathon she posted a massive new PB by more than three minutes to record 1:06:01 and place second, just one second behind her training partner Tsehay Gemechu.&nbsp;
In November she clinched victory in the 10km Great Ethiopian Run in Addis Ababa and concluded a highly successful maiden international year with victory in the Xiamen Marathon in China (1:07:34).
Returning to training at her base in Addis Ababa, she has continued to develop and build her fitness.&nbsp;
<h2>Team berth for Gdynia secured, then pandemic hits </h2>
An unfortunate stomach issue hindered her attempts to produce her best at the Ras Al Khaimah Half Marathon in February, where she finished sixth in 1:06:35. But she bounced back to win the Women&rsquo;s First 5km in 15:27 in Addis Ababa only for the global pandemic to strike causing the postponement of the World Athletics Half Marathon Championships &ndash; for which she had been selected for the Ethiopian team.
During the early stages of the pandemic she returned to her home village for a month and took some time away from serious training.
However, since returning to the Ethiopian capital and training as part of a smaller COVID secure group, she has gradually rebuilt fitness.
In preparation for the rescheduled World Half Marathon Championships in Gdynia, Poland, the Ethiopians organised a 15km trial race in which Yehualaw impressed by winning, defeating a world-class group of athletes.
&ldquo;In those final weeks of preparation (before Gdynia) her form got better and better,&rdquo; explains Abshero. &ldquo;You could see her improving. I remember she ran 15:45 for the final 5km. That race was at an altitude of 2500m, so I told her then she is in shape to win a gold medal at the World Half Marathon Championships.&rdquo;
<h2>Skidding to Gdynia bronze </h2>
In an incident-packed women&rsquo;s race in Gdynia &ndash; in which several of the main contenders took a tumble &ndash; Yehaulaw produced a mature and perfectly controlled race &ndash; at least for the first 21km.
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Entering the final 100 metres in a three-way battle for the medals she was poised to make her strike only to skid and almost fall on the carpet which covered the sand on the beach finish. Losing vital momentum at that key moment she had to settle for bronze, albeit with a massive new PB of 1:05:19 &ndash; just three seconds behind gold medallist Peres Jepchirchir &ndash; who posted a women&rsquo;s only world record.
Yehualaw says she was &ldquo;very happy&rdquo; to win a first global international medal but her perfectionist coach was disappointed it was not more.
&ldquo;I know Yalemzerf was happy but I knew she could have won gold,&rdquo; adds Abshero, who believes the untimely skid cost her the ultimate prize.
<h2>Making amends in Delhi </h2>
Moving on the New Delhi Half Marathon, where she faced a world-class field which included reigning world marathon champion Ruth Chepngetich, world marathon record-holder Brigid Kosgei and Gemechu, the two-time defending champion, was a daunting prospect.
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Yet running in ideal conditions, Yehualaw ran with the composure and confidence of a champion. Hitting the 10km checkpoint in a blistering 30:49 as part of the lead group, she kicked clear of her rivals in the final three kilometres to stop the clock in a dazzling 1:04:46 &ndash; to come within 15 seconds of Ababel Yeshaneh&rsquo;s world record time set earlier this year in Ras Al Khaimah.
It was comfortably the most impressive performance of the 21-year-old&rsquo;s exciting career, and served special notice of her potential.
&ldquo;I went out to break the course record here in Delhi and I was hoping for a new PB, but I did not expect to come so close world record,&rdquo; explains Yehualaw. "It was more than I expected.&rdquo;
Abshero was similarly stunned and impressed.
&ldquo;I knew she was in good shape and I expected a good performance but never in my dreams did I expect this,&rdquo; he says.&nbsp;
The future looks to be extremely rosy for the Ethiopian who has some big ambitions. Her goal is to win titles over a range of distances and surfaces and according to Abshero her versatility is a huge asset.
&ldquo;She can run well over 5000m and 10,000m on the track, half marathon and one day the marathon on the road.&rdquo;
Yet whatever she goes on to achieve Yehualaw is at this moment one of the world&rsquo;s most exciting young endurance talents and we should take the time to sit back and enjoy the journey over the months and years to come.
Steve Landells for World Athletics

Fans and writers alike love to speculate on the next Eliud Kipchoge or Tirunesh Dibaba and while predicting future talent can be a tricky business there is little doubt that the huge amount of recent attention thrust upon Yalemzerf Yehualaw is justified.