Emma Bates is gearing up for her Valencia Marathon debut, which will be just her second marathon of the 2025 calendar year and her first marathon on European soil.

Bates could find success in Valencia - and if she does, she could improve upon her 2:22:10* personal best. 

The Valencia Marathon is slated for Sunday, December 7 at 2:00 AM ET. US Audiences can watch the Valencia Marathon LIVE on FloTrack.

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Recently, Bates tackled a long run with the COROS team to test their new PACE 4 watch. The workout was a 24.5 mile run with two by five mile reps at race effort. Despite horrid conditions presented by Hurricane Melissa - and constant wind speeds at 15 mph - Bates tackled the run with a 6:11 average and an average heart rate of 145 bpm. Her fastest mile was a 5:32 and the COROS Training Load was at 312.

"My long run in NYC wasn't the most impressive on paper, but I am actually really proud of that workout," Bates said about that effort. "There were many unknown variables and obstacles I had to overcome (i.e. a route I have never run before, countless pedestrians to maneuver around, wind, and hills)." 

"Every-time I would feel overwhelmed in this workout from one of those variables, I would turn to the PACE 4 for reassurance. I would check my heart rate and know that I was within the parameters of effort I needed to be. That is honestly something I pay attention to a lot: my heart rate. It tells me if my pace is appropriate during workouts and easy runs, while also giving me valuable insight into recovery through my resting heart rate and HRV."

Speaking of new variables, Valencia will be Bate's first international marathon - which presents new challenges for the vet.

"I have never had to deal with jet lag before a marathon, so that will be an interesting challenge," said Bates. "Some people have asked me if I have changed my running schedule to reflect the time difference. They have even gone as far as to recommend waking up in the middle of the night, or staying up late to run."

While, the race will be her first marathon on international soil, it won't be her first time racing the roads in Valencia. Back in 2018, Bates ran the World Half Marathon Championships and finished 27th.

"I learned two weeks before the race that I was selected to the team after I had taken a prescribed 2-week break from training. Though I didn't feel the most prepared, I surprised myself at this race and PR'd by over a minute. It made me realize I am capable of more than I thought possible. I also learned that the streets of Valencia are MAGIC."

She ran 1:11:45 in that effort. 

That was seven years ago. This year alone, Bates has run 1:08:21 for sixth at the New York City Half and 2:25:10 for 13th at the Boston Marathon. In totality, she has only raced three times in 2025. That being said, it will be her 10th Marathon, so she is no stranger to racing the distance - contrary to what Bates may say.

"This will be my 10th Marathon, but it honestly feels like one of my first," she said. "I am still learning so much about myself and the marathon distance. I really try hard to hit the reset button after each marathon I run so that the next one feels fresh and unknown. Though the distance is the same, the elements, the environment, the competition is always different. I of course, want to PR, but above that I want to experience something new and uncover another layer of myself on a psychological level." 

Nevertheless, she will toe the line at 2:00 AM ET (8:00 AM Local Time) for the start of the Valencia Marathon. US Audiences can stream the race LIVE on FloTrack - and check also check out the new COROS PACE 4 which is now available on retail.

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