Alex Yee’s breakthrough marathon signals a new chapter in British distance running
A surprising leap for a multisport star
For most sports fans outside endurance circles, Alex Yee is best known as an Olympic triathlon champion rather than a marathon specialist. Triathlon athletes compete in swimming, cycling and running, and while many are strong runners, only a small number transition successfully into world class marathon performances.
That is part of what made Yee’s race in Valencia so compelling. Coming into Spain for only his second career marathon, he had been viewed as a developing long distance runner with potential, not necessarily someone poised to break into prestigious national record territory.
According to reporting from the athletics website that covered the event, Yee arrived with a previous best of 2:11:08 from his debut in London last spring. In Valencia, he ran 2:06:38, a dramatic improvement of more than four minutes. Averaging close to three minutes per kilometre, he suddenly moved to second on the British all time list, behind Sir Mo Farah’s 2:05:11 set in 2018 in Chicago.
For casual readers, that jump is extraordinary. Cutting several minutes at this level is rare, and such a time typically places an athlete in contention at major global road races.
Read also: Trump’s surprise call from Cristiano Ronaldo takes an unexpected turn
How the race unfolded
Race organisers noted that Yee benefited from disciplined pacing support from fellow Briton Emile Cairess, one of the country’s leading road runners, who guided a pack that also included Phil Sesemann. The group ran together deep into the race, drawing on shared training experience built over months in Yorkshire.
Rather than emphasising each split as numbers, coaches observing the race highlighted how evenly Yee moved through the early sections. His kilometres remained consistently around the three minute mark before he accelerated in the final stages, a pattern known as a negative split. Executing that kind of progression is often considered a hallmark of an experienced marathoner, even though Yee is new to the discipline.
As analysts explained, this type of pacing reflects not only strong physical preparation but also confidence in race strategy, something that is notoriously difficult for newcomers to master.
What Yee said after the finish
After crossing the line, Yee spoke about how much he had carried forward from his London debut. According to quotes reported by the same athletics website, he said “Valencia marathon blew away any expectations I had of myself.” He added that London had been a valuable learning experience and that with stronger preparation this time, he believed he could deliver something special.
Read also: Max Verstappen could have played games at Abu Dhabi here’s why he didn’t
He also noted that the atmosphere helped him stay committed late in the race, describing the crowd energy as a key factor that kept him focused through some of the toughest kilometres.
Why this performance matters
For people who follow his triathlon career, Yee’s result raises a natural question about whether he might shift toward marathon running full time. Analysts, however, have pointed out that while his Valencia run demonstrates outstanding potential, his primary focus remains centred on the Olympic triathlon title, which he aims to defend at the Los Angeles Games in 2028.
Even so, the performance gives him an additional competitive avenue in the future. It signals that Britain, long known for producing strong distance runners, may have another athlete capable of world level marathon success, even if that is not his main priority right now.
Read also: Gianni Infantino apologises to Lionel Scaloni after trophy protocol blunder
Read also: Ugarte’s uncertain future at Old Trafford
