They don’t call it ‘the world’s fastest 10k’ for nothing, and Olympic triathlon champion Alex Yee found out just why on Sunday in Valencia, Spain.
The 26-year-old British superstar became a major crossover athlete in 2024 as he claimed gold at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games and then became triathlon’s World Champion for the first time.
But Yee is starting 2025 by going back to his running roots as he gears up for an eagerly-awaited London Marathon bid in April. He began the build-up by going up against some truly elite talents in Sunday’s Valencia 10k.
It was always going to be a true seasonal baptism of fire for Yee, with both the men’s and women’s world road records over the distance being set in this race – Rhonex Kipruto clocked 26:24 in 2020 while the women’s world best of 28:46 was set by Agnes Jebet in 2024.
European record falls to Almgren
Sunday’s renewal did not quite hit those heady heights but it was another epic contest, with the men’s European record falling to Sweden’s Andreas Almgren as his 26:53 shaved 11 seconds off the 27:04 achieved by Etienne Daguinos in Lille in 2024.
READ MORE: What is a good 10k time?
Almgren just pipped Dominic Lobalu of Switzerland and Vincent Langat in a desperate sprint to the tape, while further back in the field Yee was involved in his own personal battle against the clock. Beforehand he had admitted: “Bit of fun this weekend, no expectations, just excited to challenge myself against these monsters”.
What time did Alex Yee clock?
Alex, who has a personal best over 10k on the track of 27:51, kicked off his season with a very respectable time of 28:07 – good for 29th place overall. All roads now lead to London for the Olympic and World triathlon king in 15 weeks’ time as he gears up for marathon combat in April.
Afterwards the swim/bike/run icon said: “Not bad, not good. Needed some strength k’s 7/8. What an amazing race to be part of. 7 national records and a European record!”
READ MORE: What is a good marathon time?
Ahead of Alex, there was another notable British performance as Rory Leonard set a new British record of 27:38 in claiming 15th place overall.
The women’s race on Sunday was claimed in terrific fashion by Kenya’s Hellen Ekalale Lobun in a time of 29:30, as she came home just in front of Ethiopian pair Girmawit Gebrzihair Gebru and Fotyen Tesfay Haiylu.
Valencia 10k results 2024
Sunday January 12, 2024
Men
- Andreas Almgren (SWE) – 26:53
- Dominic Lobalu (SUI) – 26:54
- Vincent Langat (KEN) – 26:55
- Daniel Kinyanjul (KEN) – 27:06
- Isaac Kimeli (BEL) – 27:10
- Benard Langat (KEN) – 27:11
- Telahum Halle Bekele (ETH) – 27:13
- Santiago Catrofe (URU) – 27:16
- Dawit Seare (ERI) – 27:21
- Celestin Ndikumana (BDI) – 27:23
29. Alex Yee (GBR) – 28:07
Women
- Hellen Ekalale Lobun (KEN) – 29:30
- Girmawit Gebrzihair Gebru (ETH) – 29:34
- Fotyen Tesfay Haiylu (ETH) – 29:42
- Asayech Ayichew (ETH) – 29:43
- Fentaye Belayneh (ETH) – 30:00
- Christine Chesiro (KEN) – 30:06
- Maurine Jemutai Toroitich (KEN) – 30:28
- Miriam Serem (KEN) – 30:29
- Alice Chemtai (KEN) – 30:47
- Lomi Muleta Tefera (ETH) – 31:01
