VALENCIA, Spain, October 25, 2026 — Emily Venters and Allie Ostrander produced career-best performances at the 2026 Valencia Half Marathon Trinidad Alfonso Zurich on Sunday, leading a strong American showing as Chandler Gibbens headed four U.S. men under 65 minutes.
Venters clocked a personal-best 1:07:37, while Ostrander broke 69 minutes for the first time with 1:08:55. Gibbens led the American men in 1:01:43, with Jacob Thomson close behind in 1:02:00. Four of the six U.S. finishers recorded personal bests at the World Athletics Gold Label road race.
Emily Venters Runs 1:07:37 to Lead American Women
Venters, the U.S. road champion at 10K and 6K, finished 17th in the women’s elite field, improving her previous half-marathon best of 1:08:48 from Houston in 2025 by 71 seconds.
Her performance averaged approximately 3:12 per kilometre and moved her into joint 13th on the American women’s all-time half-marathon list, according to World-Track’s report citing World Athletics statistics.
The improvement is significant for an established elite runner, reflecting her ability to maintain a faster pace across the entire 21.0975-kilometre distance.
Allie Ostrander Breaks 69 Minutes Ahead of Marathon Debut
Allie Ostrander, 29, also delivered a breakthrough performance, finishing 26th in the women’s elite field in 1:08:55.
The three-time NCAA champion from Boise State improved her previous best of 1:10:11, recorded at the Chevron Houston Half Marathon earlier this year, by 76 seconds.
Before Valencia, Ostrander had expressed excitement about racing on the fast course against a competitive international field. She is preparing for her first full marathon later in 2026, making Sunday’s performance an encouraging indicator of her fitness.
Chandler Gibbens Leads Four USA Men Under 65 Minutes
Chandler Gibbens, 26, was the fastest American man, finishing 25th overall in 1:01:43, improving his previous personal best of 1:01:57 by 14 seconds.
Jacob Thomson, 31, the 2023 U.S. national half-marathon champion, followed in 28th place with a personal-best 1:02:00.
Anthony Raftis finished 74th in 1:04:18, returning to the course where he established his personal best in 2024. Spencer Brown completed the American men’s results in 85th place with 1:04:51.
Valencia Half Marathon 2026: Complete USA Results
Women’s results:
- Emily Venters: 1:07:37 — 17th, personal best.
- Allie Ostrander: 1:08:55 — 26th, personal best.
Men’s results:
- Chandler Gibbens: 1:01:43 — 25th, personal best.
- Jacob Thomson: 1:02:00 — 28th, personal best.
- Anthony Raftis: 1:04:18 — 74th.
- Spencer Brown: 1:04:51 — 85th.
Positions reflect the reported elite-field results.
Rodrigue Kwizera Breaks Spanish Record as Sheila Chepkirui Wins
Spain’s Rodrigue Kwizera won the men’s race in 58:03, improving the previous Spanish national record of 59:39 by 96 seconds.
Thierry Ndikumwenayo finished second in 58:09, followed by Kenya’s Victor Kipruto in 58:12.
In the women’s race, Kenya’s Sheila Chepkirui won in 1:03:51, narrowly defeating compatriot Diana Wanza, who finished in 1:03:52. Daisilah Jerono completed the podium in 1:04:11.
Additional finishing information is available through the 2026 Valencia Half Marathon results and race tracking.
Valencia Results Highlight American Distance-Running Progress
Valencia’s flat, fast course and competitive international field provide an important test for runners targeting faster road-racing times.
For the Americans, the most notable development was the combination of four personal bests, two women’s finishes under 70 minutes and four men’s finishes under 65 minutes.
The results arrive during a busy autumn racing calendar. The 2026 Toronto Waterfront Marathon results offer another comparison of elite distance-running performances, while the 2026 Marine Corps Marathon is another major road-racing event taking place on October 25.
For Ostrander, Valencia provides a promising benchmark ahead of her planned marathon debut. Venters, Gibbens and Thomson also leave Spain with new career-best times as they prepare for future competitions.
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