Ethiopia’s Tadese Takele and Sutume Asefa Kebede won the men’s and women’s Tokyo Marathon respectively, marking a strong Ethiopian performance. Takele finished in 2:03:23, while Kebede defended her title at 2:16:31. Notable performances included Uganda’s Joshua Cheptegei in ninth and Paula Radcliffe’s return after a decade away from the marathon.
Ethiopia showcased an impressive performance at the Tokyo Marathon, clinching victories in both the men’s and women’s events. Tadese Takele triumphed in the men’s race, clocking a time of 2 hours, 3 minutes, and 23 seconds. He broke away from the leading pack roughly four kilometers from the finish line, earning his first significant marathon title while surpassing his personal best by one second.
Takele’s fellow countryman, Deresa Geleta, secured second place with a time of 2 hours, 3 minutes, and 51 seconds, while Kenya’s Vincent Kipkemoi Ngetich finished third at 2 hours, 4 minutes, and 0 seconds. Takele remarked on the favorable running conditions, stating, “The weather wasn’t a problem, it wasn’t too hot and for me, it was comfortable.” He expressed hope for future improvements in his performance.
In the women’s category, Sutume Asefa Kebede of Ethiopia successfully defended her title, completing the marathon in 2 hours, 16 minutes, and 31 seconds. Kenya’s Winfridah Moraa Moseti followed in second place with a time of 2 hours, 16 minutes, and 56 seconds, while Ethiopia’s Hawi Feysa came in third at 2 hours, 17 minutes, and 0 seconds.
Notably, Joshua Cheptegei, the double Olympic track champion from Uganda, made his marathon debut at this event, finishing ninth with a record of 2 hours, 5 minutes, and 59 seconds. Meanwhile, Paula Radcliffe, the former women’s world record-holder, returned to the marathon circuit at the age of 51, completing the race in 2 hours, 57 minutes, and 26 seconds. Radcliffe, renowned for her past achievements, announced plans to participate in the Boston Marathon the following month.
In conclusion, the Tokyo Marathon witnessed a remarkable display of athleticism as Ethiopian runners dominated both the men’s and women’s events. Tadese Takele’s victory marked an important milestone in his career, while Sutume Asefa Kebede reaffirmed her status as a leading marathon runner. Meanwhile, the participation of renowned runners like Joshua Cheptegei and Paula Radcliffe added significant interest to the competition.
Original Source: news.rthk.hk
