Bekele to Race Valencia Half Marathon After Berlin Withdrawal — image accompanying Marathon Handbook's report. Image accompanying Marathon Handbook’s report; reduced and presented for news commentary with the attributed report. View the complete source report.
Kenenisa Bekele, three days from Berlin Marathon, withdrew due to Achilles injury. Marathon Handbook reported this. Now, he races Valencia Half Marathon on Oct. 25. This marks his first race of 2026.
Bekele last raced in New York City Marathon, not finishing. He also withdrew from London Marathon. His last win was in London’s Big Half in 2020. Valencia’s course suits him well. Read more everyday miles coverage.
Rodrigue Kwizera leads the men’s field with a 58:16 time. Bekele’s 1:00:22 time from 2020 is on the entry list. The women’s field features Yalemzerf Yehualaw, with a 1:03:51 time from 2021. Related: Kenenisa Bekele to Race Valencia Half Marathon.
This original Runner World brief is based on reporting from Marathon Handbook. Visit the source for its complete reporting, context and any later corrections.
Reader questions
Questions about this report
What should runners know about Bekele to Race Valencia Half Marathon After Berlin Withdrawal?
Kenenisa Bekele set to compete in Valencia after recent Berlin Marathon withdrawal. Kenenisa Bekele, three days from Berlin Marathon, withdrew due to Achilles injury. Marathon Handbook reported this. Now, he races Valencia Half Marathon on Oct. 25. This marks his first race of 2026.
When did Runner World publish this everyday miles brief?
Runner World published this brief on October 18, 2026. The underlying Marathon Handbook report was dated October 18, 2026.
Where can readers find the complete original report?
This summary is based on reporting from Marathon Handbook. The attributed source link in the article leads to the publisher’s complete report.
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