Ethiopian runners Tadese Takele and Sutume Asefa Kebede won the men’s and women’s titles at the Tokyo Marathon on March 2, 2025. Takele finished in 2:03:23, while Kebede successfully defended her title with a time of 2:16:29. Joshua Cheptegei achieved a personal best of 2:05:56 in his second marathon, amidst challenging weather conditions.
In the Tokyo Marathon held on March 2, 2025, Ethiopian athletes Tadese Takele and Sutume Asefa Kebede clinched the top positions in the men’s and women’s categories, respectively. Takele finished with a remarkable time of 2:03:23, while Kebede defended her title with a strong performance, crossing the line at 2:16:29. Takele’s victory contributed to an impressive Ethiopian one-two finish, with Deresa Geleta placing second in 2:03:51. The third position was taken by Kenya’s Vincent Kipkemoi Ngetich, who finished in 2:04:00 for the second consecutive year.
Following Kebede, Kenya’s Winfrida Moraa Moseti secured the second podium position among women with a time of 2:16:56, while fellow Ethiopian Halwi Feysa placed third, clocking in at 2:17:00. Notably, Olympic champion Joshua Cheptegei of Uganda achieved a personal best of 2:05:56 to finish ninth in his second marathon. However, the defending men’s champion, Benson Kipruto, slipped to sixth place, finishing in 2:05:44.
The marathon took place under conditions that exceeded 20°C, which posed challenges for the runners. Legendary athlete Paula Radcliffe returned to marathon racing for the first time since her 2015 retirement, completing the race in 2:57:26, which is over 40 minutes slower than her former world record. She aims to compete again in the Boston Marathon six weeks later as part of her goal to receive Six Star finisher honors.
Takele made a decisive move three kilometers from the finish line, breaking away from a leading group that included Geleta and Ngetich. This race marked only his third marathon, following a seventh-place finish in the previous year’s Berlin Marathon. He expressed satisfaction with his new personal best and was optimistic about future performances. “I want to run faster and win the Olympics one day,” Takele stated, reflecting on his ambition.
Despite not meeting his ideal target time of 2:04, Cheptegei expressed pride in his performance. He acknowledged the impact of the weather conditions on his pace but highlighted the importance of the race for his progression in the marathon distance. “With the conditions today, I am really so proud and it’s a big step for me moving forward,” he remarked, signifying his determination to improve in future races.
The Tokyo Marathon 2025 showcased exceptional performances by Ethiopian athletes Tadese Takele and Sutume Asefa Kebede, who secured victories in their respective categories. The race was marked by competitive finishes and notable achievements, including personal bests from several athletes. Takele’s aspirations for future success reflect a broader commitment to excellence in the marathon discipline.
Original Source: www.olympics.com
