Olympic triathlon gold medallist Alex Yee has delivered a breathtaking performance on the roads of Spain, storming to a huge personal best and etching his name into the British record books.
Yee's Historic Run in Valencia
Competing in the Valencia Marathon on Sunday 7 December 2025, Yee clocked an extraordinary time of 2:06:38 to finish seventh in a world-class field. This monumental effort represents a significant leap forward in his marathon career and instantly reshapes the landscape of British distance running.
The result propels the 27-year-old to a lofty new position: second on the all-time British men's marathon rankings. The only man now ahead of him is the legendary Sir Mo Farah, cementing Yee's status as one of the most formidable talents the UK has ever produced in the event.
Kenyan Dominance and British Success Stories
The men's race was won in commanding fashion by Kenya's John Korir in 2:02:24. This victory adds the Valencia crown to Korir's Boston Marathon triumph from earlier in the year, underlining his status as a premier global marathoner.
In the women's elite race, another Kenyan athlete stood atop the podium. Joyciline Jepkosgei secured victory with a blistering time of 2:14:00, which stands as the fastest women's marathon time recorded anywhere in the world during 2025.
Yee was not the only British athlete to celebrate a landmark day in Valencia. Phil Sesemann also achieved a personal best, running 2:07:11. In the women's event, Natasha Wilson's time of 2:24:22 made her the fastest British woman in the race, marking a superb performance for the domestic contingent.
What This Means for British Athletics
Alex Yee's rapid ascent in the marathon is a thrilling development for the sport in the UK. His ability to transition his world-class speed and endurance from triathlon to the pure 26.2-mile distance has been nothing short of remarkable. This performance in Valencia sends a clear message that he is a genuine contender for major marathon honours in the coming years.
The depth shown by British athletes, with Sesemann and Wilson also posting standout times, suggests a bright future for long-distance running. With Yee now firmly established as the second-fastest Briton in history, all eyes will be on his next move and whether he can eventually challenge the ultimate benchmark set by Sir Mo Farah.
