Ethiopian athletes demonstrated exceptional prowess at the 2025 Tokyo Marathon, winning both men’s and women’s races. Tadese Takele was the youngest male winner with a personal best of 2:03:23. Former champion Benson Kipruto fell to sixth, while Sutume Kebede defended her women’s title. The race underscored the strength of Ethiopian runners.
The 2025 Tokyo Marathon showcased the supremacy of Ethiopian runners, with both the men’s and women’s races dominated by athletes from Ethiopia. Tadese Takele, an unexpected contender, secured the men’s title with a remarkable personal best of 2:03:23, making history as the youngest victor of the Tokyo Marathon at just 22 years old.
Benson Kipruto, the defending champion, faced disappointment, finishing sixth in this year’s event with a time of 2:05:46, which marked his first finish outside the top three since the 2020 London Marathon. Kenya’s Vincent Kipkemoi performed well, securing third place with a time of 2:04:00, mere seconds behind Ethiopian runner Deleta Geresa, who clocked 2:03:51 to finish second.
The event did not include Timothy Kiplagat, a previous podium finisher, as he prepared for the upcoming London Marathon. Following Kipkemoi, another Kenyan, Titus Kipruto, achieved fourth place with a time of 2:05:34, while marathon newcomer Geoffrey Toroitich finished closely behind Kipruto in seventh place.
Ugandan Joshua Cheptegei, the reigning world and Olympic champion in the 10,000 meters, struggled in the marathon, finishing ninth and recording a personal best of 2:05:59. Ethiopian Birhanu Legese, a two-time Tokyo Marathon winner, returned to competition with an 11th place finish at 2:06:06.
In the women’s race, Sutume Kebede of Ethiopia successfully defended her title, completing the marathon in 2:16:31, making her the first woman to win consecutive Tokyo Marathons. Kenya’s Winfridah Moraa followed her as runner-up, achieving a personal best time of 2:16:56. Ethiopian Hawi Feysa secured third with a time of 2:17:00.
Magdalyne Masai, who finished second in the last Frankfurt Marathon, came in fourth at 2:19:28, while Rosemary Wanjiru, a former Tokyo Marathon champion, finished fifth with a time of 2:19:57. The total prize pool for this esteemed marathon was $286,000, with both winners taking home $78,100 each.
The 2025 Tokyo Marathon highlighted Ethiopia’s remarkable dominance in long-distance running, with both the men’s and women’s titles being claimed by Ethiopian athletes. Notably, Tadese Takele emerged as the youngest winner of the men’s division, while Sutume Kebede made a significant mark by securing her second consecutive women’s title. The event reiterated the growing prowess of Ethiopian runners and the competitive landscape in marathon racing today.
Original Source: eastleighvoice.co.ke
