Ethiopia demonstrated its strength at the Tokyo Marathon, winning both the men’s and women’s races. Tadese Takele set a personal best of 2:03:23 to win the men’s event, while Sutume Asefa Kebede defended her title in the women’s race with a time of 2:16:31. Notable finishes included Joshua Cheptegei in ninth and Paula Radcliffe in 2:57:26 in her comeback marathon.
Ethiopia showcased its dominance at the Tokyo Marathon, clinching victories in both the men’s and women’s divisions. Tadese Takele emerged as the champion of the men’s race, clocking in at 2:03:23. He broke away from the competition in the final kilometers to secure his first major marathon title, improving his personal best by one second. Deresa Geleta of Ethiopia finished second in 2:03:51, while Kenya’s Vincent Kipkemoi Ngetich took third place with a time of 2:04:00.
In the women’s category, Sutume Asefa Kebede defended her title, completing the race in 2:16:31. Kenya’s Winfridah Moraa Moseti secured the second position with a time of 2:16:56, followed closely by Ethiopia’s Hawi Feysa, who finished third in 2:17:00. Notably, Joshua Cheptegei of Uganda, a renowned Olympic champion, finished ninth, completing the marathon in 2:05:59, a significant improvement following his debut two years prior.
Former world record-holder Paula Radcliffe participated in her first marathon in a decade at the age of 51, finishing in 2:57:26. The British athlete expressed intentions to compete in the Boston Marathon next month. The event attracted a diverse group of talented runners, highlighting Ethiopia’s strong presence in long-distance running and the evolving international landscape of marathon competitions.
In summary, the Tokyo Marathon was an impressive display of Ethiopian athletic prowess, with Tadese Takele and Sutume Asefa Kebede emerging victorious in their respective categories. The event also marked significant performances from renowned competitors, including Joshua Cheptegei and Paula Radcliffe. The strong showings by these athletes emphasize Ethiopia’s continued dominance in long-distance running.
Original Source: news.rthk.hk
