Former world record-holder Tigist Assefa is expected as the one to beat in the women’s marathon at the World Athletics Championships 2025 in Tokyo.
On Sunday (14 September), Ethiopia’s world leader this year will be looking for some personal vindication after being edged out by Sifan Hassan for Olympic gold in Paris last summer.
Assefa won the London Marathon in 2:15:50 in April, the world’s fastest time for 2025. The 28-year-old also cruised through Berlin two years ago in a then-world record of 2:11:53.
It remains to be seen how Assefa will handle the Tokyo course and the heat – the start times were moved up to 7:30 because of it – but on paper, she would have to be considered the clear betting favourite.
Her biggest threats are expected to come from her countrywoman Sutume Asefa Kebede and Peres Jepchirchir of Kenya, two runners who have enjoyed success in Japan.
Kebede has won the Tokyo Marathon in the past two years, with her 2025 time of 2:16:31 ranking as the second fastest in the world.
While the Tokyo 2020 Olympic marathon was held in Sapporo where it is much cooler, Jepchirchir still topped the podium at the Games.
Jepchirchir was 14th in Paris last summer, but she has wins in Boston, New York, and London to bolster her credentials.
Also not to be overlooked is the host country’s trio – Sato Sayaka, Ando Yuka, and Kobayashi Kana – who are thoroughly prepared and will be well fired up for the run.
AloJapan.com