Ethiopian Runners Dominate the 2025 Tokyo Marathon

In the 2025 Tokyo Marathon, Ethiopians secured the top positions in both men’s and women’s events, with Tadese Takele and Sutume Kebede emerging victorious. Benson Kipruto, the previous champion, finished sixth, marking his first time outside the top three since the 2020 London Marathon. The race saw significant achievements from both Kenyan and Ethiopian runners, leading to a highly competitive event.

The 2025 Tokyo Marathon witnessed a remarkable display of Ethiopian prowess as they clinched both the male and female titles, leaving Kenyan competitors trailing. Tadese Takele from Ethiopia, surprisingly ranked as an outsider, achieved a stunning personal record of 2:03:23, becoming the youngest winner ever at just 22 years of age.

Benson Kipruto, the previous year’s champion, faced challenges and finished sixth with a time of 2:05:46, marking the first occasion since the 2020 London Marathon that he placed outside the top three. Kenya’s top finisher this year was Vincent Kipkemoi, who secured third place, clocking in at 2:04:00, while Ethiopian Deleta Geresa finished just ahead of him in second with a time of 2:03:51.

Notably, Titus Kipruto ranked fourth at 2:05:34, while Geoffrey Toroitich made his marathon debut, tying Kipruto’s time at 2:05:46 and finishing seventh. Other athletes included Vincent Raimoi, who finished 22nd with a time of 2:08:58, and Ugandan Joshua Cheptegei, who, although struggling with his marathon transition, achieved a personal best of 2:05:59 in ninth place.

The women’s competition was dominated by Sutume Kebede from Ethiopia, who defended her title with a time of 2:16:31, thereby becoming the first woman to win the Tokyo Marathon consecutively. Winfridah Moraa from Kenya followed closely, securing second place with a personal best of 2:16:56, while Ethiopian Hawi Feysa finished third at 2:17:00.

Magdalyne Masai and Rosemary Wanjiru, both hailing from Kenya, finished fourth and fifth, clocking in at 2:19:28 and 2:19:57, respectively. The total prize money for the marathon amounted to $286,000, with both winners receiving $78,100 each.

The 2025 Tokyo Marathon highlighted Ethiopia’s dominance in distance running, with Tadese Takele and Sutume Kebede earning top honors in their respective races. This event marked a challenging day for Kenyan runners, especially for former champion Benson Kipruto, who slipped to sixth place. The performance of the Ethiopian athletes and the distribution of prizes underscore the competitive nature of this prestigious marathon.

Original Source: eastleighvoice.co.ke