The 40th edition of the Seville Marathon was held on February 23, 2025, attracting 14,000 runners to the streets of Seville. Known for its flat, fast course at sea level, the marathon has gained immense prestige and become a must-attend event for elite athletes and amateurs aiming for personal bests.
Ethiopian runner Selemon Barega emerged victorious, clocking an unofficial time of 2:05:15. This was his marathon debut and he secured the win by maintaining a solo lead through many portions of the race. Despite his strong finish, he narrowly missed breaking the course record. Following him were Adisu Tesfahun Tafere, also from Ethiopia, who finished second with a time of 2:06:27, and Morocco's Mohamed Reda El Aaraby, who completed the race with a personal best of 2:06:45.
Notably, the Swiss athlete Matthias Kyburtz finished fourth at 2:06:48. Meanwhile, reactions from other notable runners included Polish athlete Adam Nowicki who recorded the second best time ever for Poland at 2:08:41. The marathon also featured impressive performances from Spanish runners, with Ilias Fifa finishing at 2:10:10.
The female field was led by Ethiopian Anchinalu Dessie Genaneh, who finished with a time of 2:22:17, followed by France's Manon Trapp at 2:23:38, setting a new national record, and Cyntia Chepchirchir Kosgei from Kenya, who clocked 2:23:43. Several top Spanish female marathoners, including Kaoutar Boulaid and Meritxell Soler, also delivered noteworthy finishes.
Despite facing challenging weather conditions, with humidity levels hitting 90%, participants remained undeterred, showing incredible resilience and determination throughout the event. The marathon's course records stand at 2:03:27 for men, set by Deresa Geleta from Ethiopia, and 2:18:52 for women, held by Alemu Megertu, showcasing the high standards seen at this event.
Organizers prepared for the marathon with caution, implementing comprehensive traffic and public transport changes. The marathon’s 42-kilometer route would temporarily disrupt traffic on key avenues and streets across the city, as well as alter bus services from 8:00 AM to early afternoon. Specific bus lines were affected during the morning hours, emphasizing the event’s significant impact on local infrastructure.
The Seville Marathon also saw the participation of prominent Latin American athletes. Ecuadorian Segundo Jami clocked 2:09:05, and Mexico's Juan Pacheco, recognized as the fastest marathoner from the nation over the last decade, finished with 2:09:45.
Local authorities, including Lipasam, established strict measures to maintain cleanliness along the course and throughout the city, showcasing their commitment to both the athletes and the city. The upcoming marathons promise to solidify Seville's status as one of Europe’s premier marathon destinations, highlighting its dedicated infrastructure, exciting atmosphere, and historical significance.
This marathon reaffirmed its reputation as not just another race but as part of the sporting fabric of Seville. Athletes pushed their limits, and spectators enjoyed the exciting atmosphere, setting the stage for bigger and potentially record-breaking performances to come.