Ethiopia’s Tadese Takele yesterday defended his Tokyo Marathon title, edging Kenya’s Geoffrey Toroitich in a sprint finish to cross the line in 2 hours, 3 minutes, 37 seconds.
Takele finished with the same official time as Toroitich after a dramatic battle for the line, with Kenya’s Alexander Mutiso just one second further behind in third place.
“I knew that the final stage would be decisive,” 23-year-old Takele said. “Around 41km I wanted to wait and see what would happen and then I made my move right before the finish.”
Photo: EPA
Kenya’s Brigid Kosgei won the women’s race in 2:14:29, a new course record.
Ethiopia’s Berukan Welde was second in 2:16:36, followed by her countrywoman Hawi Feysa in 2:17:39.
In warm, dry conditions in the Japanese capital, a men’s leading pack including Takele, Toroitich, Mutiso and Kenya’s Daniel Mateiko broke away around the 37km mark.
Takele made a late move and managed to stay in front despite a last-gasp challenge from Toroitich.
“Today’s race was a great one,” Takele said. “There was intense and positive competition, and I’m truly happy that I was able to win.”
The men’s field was weakened by the withdrawal through injury of Kenya’s Timothy Kiplagat and Ethiopia’s Milkesa Mengesha in the lead-up to the race.
In the women’s competition, Kosgei was in a class of her own and finished more than two minutes clear of her nearest rival.
Kosgei, the Tokyo Marathon champion and Olympic silver medalist in 2021, has said she would compete for Turkey at the 2028 Los Angeles Games.
“We have a lot of athletes in Kenya,” Kosgei said. “I want some young generation to follow my step to join me in Turkey.”
AloJapan.com