Ethiopia’s Tadese Takele emerged victorious at the Tokyo Marathon on Sunday, completing the race in 2 hours, 3 minutes, and 23 seconds. He surged ahead with about 4 km remaining, securing his first major marathon title and improving his personal best by one second.
His compatriot Deresa Geleta finished second in 2:03:51, while Kenya’s Vincent Kipkemoi Ngetich claimed third place with a time of 2:04:00.
“The weather wasn’t an issue; I felt comfortable throughout,” Takele remarked
emphasizing his ambition to improve further in future races.
In the women’s category, Ethiopia’s Sutume Asefa Kebede successfully defended her title, finishing in 2:16:31. Kenya’s Winfridah Moraa Moseti followed closely in 2:16:56, while Ethiopia’s Hawi Feysa took third place in 2:17:00.
Uganda’s Joshua Cheptegei, a two-time Olympic champion on the track, completed the race in ninth place with a time of 2:05:59. Competing in only his second marathon after his Valencia debut two years ago, he acknowledged the challenges of the warm Tokyo weather, where temperatures reached 20°C (68°F).
“I’m grateful to have raced in Tokyo. There are positives to take forward as I prepare for the next step,” Cheptegei said
Adding that he was satisfied with the result despite the conditions.
Kenya’s Benson Kipruto, last year’s Tokyo Marathon winner and a Paris Olympics bronze medallist, finished sixth in 2:05:46.
Meanwhile, former women’s world record-holder Paula Radcliffe, competing in her first marathon in a decade at age 51, crossed the finish line in 2:57:26. The British athlete also plans to participate in the Boston Marathon next month.