Get ready to be amazed because Alex Yee just shook up the British marathon scene in a way that no one saw coming! At the Valencia Marathon 2025, Yee delivered a jaw-dropping performance, clocking an incredible 2:06:38, which catapulted him to second place in the all-time British men’s marathon rankings. But here’s where it gets even more fascinating: this Olympic champion triathlete, fresh off his gold medal win at Paris 2024, is actually focusing on running as a bridge to his ultimate goal—dominating the LA 2028 triathlon. And this is the part most people miss: Yee’s Valencia time wasn’t just a personal best; it shaved a whopping four minutes and 30 seconds off his London Marathon debut earlier this year (2:11:08). Is this a sign that Yee could become a full-time marathon threat? Let’s dive deeper.
Yee’s stunning performance places him just behind the legendary Sir Mo Farah (2:05:11) and ahead of Emile Cairess (2:06:46), who ironically paced Yee for much of the race before dropping out. Cairess’s training partner, Phil Sesemann, also had a day to remember, finishing in 2:07:11 for a personal best. But the real question is: Can Yee sustain this momentum, or will he return to triathlon as planned? His seventh-place overall finish behind race winner John Korir (2:02:24) might just make him rethink his future.
Speaking of Korir, the Kenyan star bounced back from a DNF at the Chicago Marathon to claim victory in Valencia, adding another trophy to his 2025 Boston Marathon win. Germany’s Amanal Petros (2:04:03) and Norway’s Awet Kibrab (2:04:24) rounded out the podium, both setting national records. But let’s not forget the women’s race, where Joyciline Jepkosgei (2:14:00) dominated with the fastest time of the year, leaving Peres Jepchirchir (2:14:43) in her wake. Chloe Herbiet (2:20:38) took third, while Natasha Wilson (2:24:22) led the British contingent with a personal best.
Here’s where it gets controversial: With Yee’s rapid rise, should British Athletics push him to focus solely on marathoning, or is his triathlon expertise too valuable to abandon? And for the women’s field, is Jepkosgei’s dominance a sign of things to come, or will Jepchirchir bounce back stronger? Let’s hear your thoughts in the comments!
For the full leaderboards, here’s a breakdown of the top performers in both races:
Elite Men’s Race
1. John Korir (KEN) – 2:02:24
2. Amanal Petros (GER) – 2:04:03
3. Awet Kibrab (NOR) – 2:04:24
... (remaining rankings as per original content)
Elite Women’s Race
1. Joyciline Jepkosgei (KEN) – 2:14:00
2. Peres Jepchirchir (KEN) – 2:14:43
3. Chloe Herbiet (BEL) – 2:20:38
... (remaining rankings as per original content)
All-Time British Men’s Marathon Rankings
1. Sir Mo Farah – 2:05:11 (Chicago 2018)
2. Alex Yee – 2:06:38 (Valencia 2025)
3. Emile Cairess – 2:06:46 (London 2024)
... (remaining rankings as per original content)
Final Thought: Yee’s performance isn’t just a record—it’s a statement. But will it redefine his career path? Share your take below!
