Jackline Chelal/ HANDOUT

The 2023 Seville Marathon champion, Jackline Chelal, will once again spearhead Kenya’s charge at this year’s edition of the race, slated for February 15, returning on the course to reclaim her dominance.
Chelal claimed the Seville crown in 2023 after storming to victory in 2:20:29, outkicking Ethiopians Aberu Ayana, who clocked 2:21:54, and Urge Diro, who settled for third in 2:23:05.
The 35-year-old heads into the February contest buoyed by a solid 2025 season. In her only outing last year, she was imperious at the Kobe Marathon, cutting the tape in 2:28:25. Compatriot Deborah Samum followed her home in second place in 2:30:16, while Japan’s Kokone Sakai completed the podium in 2:35:22.
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Chelal’s growing marathon resume also includes a runner-up finish in Madrid, where she posted 2:29:22 to settle for second behind Ethiopia’s Kasu Bitew, who narrowly edged her in 2:29:08. 
Selam Fente rounded off the podium in 2:32:43. In 2024, Chelal briefly tested her speed over the half-marathon distance but endured a frustrating outing at the Madrid Half Marathon, finishing sixth in 1:11:47. Ethiopia’s Aberash Shilima claimed victory in 1:08:31, followed by Beatrice Begi (1:09:57) and Vivian Jerotich (1:10:08).
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In Seville, Chelal will be joined by a strong Kenyan supporting cast comprising Emily Arusio, Beatrice Cheserek and Rebecca Chepkwemoi.
Arusio will be chasing redemption after mixed fortunes in her 2025 campaign, having opened her season brightly with a second-place finish at the Hangzhou Marathon in 2:24:38, but struggled later in the year to seventh place at the Singapore Marathon, clocking 2:43:34.
Cheserek, meanwhile, will be lining up for only her second marathon appearance, having finished fifth on debut at last year’s Toronto Waterfront Marathon, where she timed 2:30:25.
Chepkwemoi, on the other hand, will be stepping into uncharted territory as she tests her legs over the full marathon for the first time.
She brings with her a wealth of experience from the half-marathon circuit, boasting victories in Lugano (1:09:47), Uster (1:12:43), Radenci (1:15:01) and Beograd (1:15:46).
In the men’s race, Kenya’s charge will be led by Justus Limo, who will be seeking to turn the page after a difficult 2025 season. Limo endured a frustrating campaign that saw him record a DNF in Daegu, finish seventh in Gunsan in 2:11:29 and place fifth in Seoul with a time of 2:09:13.