Men’s Race: Tadese Takele Shines Bright
Leading the charge in the men’s division was Ethiopia’s Tadese Takele, who notched his first major marathon victory—an achievement that seemed to be the culmination of steady progress for the young athlete. Completing the grueling 42.195 kilometers with a world-leading personal best time of 2:03:23, Takele managed to pull away from the pack around the 38km mark, showcasing his strategic prowess and endurance.
Takele, who had previously secured a third-place finish at the 2023 Berlin Marathon, demonstrated his growth by improving his personal best by one second. His compatriot, Deresa Geleta, clinched second place with a time of 2:03:51, followed closely by Kenya’s Vincent Kipkemoi with a time of 2:04:00, marking a competitive podium finish.
Kenya’s defending champion Benson Kipruto, who had expressed pre-race confidence in his training and hoped to break the course record, ultimately finished seventh with a time of 2:05:46. Meanwhile, Uganda’s Joshua Cheptegei marked a significant improvement, finishing ninth and shaving three minutes off his personal best from the Valencia Marathon.
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Women’s Race: Sutume Asefa Kebede Retains Crown
On the women’s side, defending champion Sutume Asefa Kebede exhibited another stunning performance, successfully defending her title with a time of 2:16:31. Kebede’s run was marked by a strong start, as she maintained a blistering pace through the opening 10km. Despite slowing slightly in the latter half, she finished comfortably ahead, becoming the Tokyo Marathon’s first back-to-back female winner.
Kenya’s Winfridah Moraa Moseti crossed the finish line in a personal best time of 2:16:56, claiming the runner-up position. The third spot was secured by Ethiopia’s Hawi Feysa, who also set a personal best of 2:17:00, highlighting the intense competitiveness of the race.
Notably, former world record-holder Paula Radcliffe returned to marathon running after a decade, finishing in 2:57:26, adding to the historic nature of this year’s marathon.
A Celebration of East African Excellence
The 2025 Tokyo Marathon was undoubtedly a celebration of East African talent, with Ethiopian runners setting the pace and raising the bar for future competitions. Their strategic prowess and stamina were on full display, reaffirming Ethiopia’s position at the pinnacle of marathon excellence.
As the running world turns its eyes to upcoming events, the stellar performances from Tokyo suggest thrilling contests ahead, with Ethiopia’s champions continuing to inspire awe on the global stage.
