In a remarkable display of athletic prowess, Kenya’s Benson Kipruto and Ethiopia’s Sutume Asefa Kebede shattered the Japanese all-comers’ records at the Tokyo Marathon, setting new benchmarks in one of the most prestigious road races globally.
Kipruto, building on his success as the 2022 Chicago Marathon champion, clinched victory in the men’s category with an astonishing time of 2:02:16.
This feat not only earned him a place ahead of compatriots Timothy Kiplagat and Vincent Kipkemoi Ngetich but also propelled him to fifth on the world all-time list, improving his personal best by almost two minutes.
Kipruto’s triumph was a testament to his meticulous preparation and strategic prowess, as the race unfolded at a blistering pace from the start.
The elite pack, including double Olympic marathon champion Eliud Kipchoge, set off on a world record tempo, but Kipruto’s tactical acumen saw him take control in the latter stages.
Despite the early challenge, Kipruto’s decisive break over the final 5km left his rivals battling for the remaining podium spots, with Kiplagat securing second place with a significant personal best of his own.
On the women’s side, Kebede dominated with a time of 2:15:55, not just winning the race but also slashing more than two minutes off her previous best.
Her victory over Kenya’s Rosemary Wanjiru and compatriot Amane Beriso was a clear demonstration of her dominance and resilience, especially in the latter stages where she decisively pulled away to secure her first major marathon win.
Kebede’s performance vaulted her to No. 8 on the world all-time list, marking her as a formidable competitor on the global stage.
The Tokyo Marathon, part of the World Athletics Platinum Label road race series, lived up to its reputation as a battleground for record-breaking performances and thrilling athletic competition.
Both Kipruto and Kebede’s victories underscore the depth of talent and the fierce competitive spirit that defines elite marathon racing.
Tokyo Marathon results
Women
1 Sutume Asefa Kebede (ETH) 2:15:55
2 Rosemary Wanjiru (KEN) 2:16:14
3 Amane Beriso (ETH) 2:16:58
4 Sifan Hassan (NED) 2:18:05
5 Betsy Saina (USA) 2:19:17
6 Hitomi Niiya (JPN) 2:21:50
Men
1 Benson Kipruto (KEN) 2:02:16
2 Timothy Kiplagat (KEN) 2:02:55
3 Vincent Kipkemoi Ngetich (KEN) 2:04:18
4 Hailemaryam Kiros (ETH) 2:05:43
5 Tsegaye Getachew (ETH) 2:06:25
6 Bethwel Kibet (KEN) 2:06:26
