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Benson Kipruto of Kenya emerged as the winner of the men’s Tokyo Marathon on Sunday, completing the course in two hours, two minutes, and 16 seconds. His impressive performance broke the course record set by previous world record holder Eliud Kipchoge, and the ideal racing conditions in Tokyo aided in this achievement.
Sutume Asefa Kebede from Ethiopia emerged as the winner of the women’s race, finishing with a time of 2:15:55. This also surpassed the record for the fastest women’s time on the Shinjuku to Imperial Palace course, which was previously held by defending champion Rosemary Wanjiru from Kenya.
Kipruto easily surpassed Timothy Kiplagat in the final few kilometers and crossed the finish line 39 seconds ahead of his fellow Kenyan. This is now Kipruto’s third major marathon title, following his victories in Boston in 2021 and Chicago in 2022.
The individual who is 32 years old recorded a time that was nearly two minutes faster than their previous best, and this achievement has placed them as the fifth-fastest marathon runner in events sanctioned by World Athletics.
“I am elated to have achieved the course record,” exclaimed Kipruto to journalists.
“I am prepared for the Paris Olympics and would be honored to represent my country in the event. However, ultimate selection is determined by my country. I am eagerly awaiting their decision, but I am fully prepared for the competition.”
After his training partner, marathon world record holder Kelvin Kiptum, passed away in a road accident last month, Kiplagat’s coach had to persuade him not to withdraw from the race.
Vincent Kipkemoi Ngetich finished third in 2:04:18 to give Kenya a podium sweep, with Ethiopians Hailemaryam Kiros and Tsegaye Getachew in fourth and fifth places.
At the halfway point of the race, Kipchoge was facing difficulties keeping up with the pace needed to beat the course record of 2:02:40 he had achieved in 2022. As a two-time Olympic champion, he had fallen behind the frontrunners by two minutes when they reached the 30km mark. He ultimately placed 10th.
At the 37km point, Kebede and Wanjiru were among the frontrunners in the women’s race. However, the Ethiopian runner increased her speed and left her competitors behind, securing her first major marathon victory with a 19-second lead.
Her time bettered Brigid Kosgei’s 2022 women’s course record of 2:16:02 and took more than two minutes off her previous personal best time of 2:18:12.
I am overjoyed,” the 29-year-old stated. “The race was highly strategic and executed flawlessly, resulting in a better outcome than I anticipated.”
After achieving a strong performance in a significant race, I am optimistic that the Ethiopian Athletics Federation will choose me to represent them in the Paris Olympics. My ultimate goal is to win a gold medal and also surpass the current Olympic record.
Amane Beriso, from the same country as Kebede, came in third with a time of 2:16:58, over a minute ahead of fourth place finisher Sifan Hassan, the Dutch Olympic champion in long-distance track running.
Ichitaka Yamashita was the fastest Japanese man in a time of 2:06:31 to finish ninth, while Hitomi Niiya took the local honours in the women’s race with a sixth-placed finish in 2:21:50.
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