Ethiopia dominated the Tokyo Marathon, with Tadese Takele winning the men’s race in 2:03:23 and Sutume Asefa Kebede defending her women’s title in 2:16:31. Takele’s compatriot Deresa Geleta secured second in the men’s category, while Kebede’s second place went to Kenya’s Winfridah Moraa Moseti. Notably, Paula Radcliffe returned to the marathon at age 51 after a decade-long break.
On Sunday, Ethiopia showcased its marathon prowess at the Tokyo Marathon, securing victories in both the men’s and women’s categories. Tadese Takele triumphed in the men’s race with a remarkable time of 2 hours, 3 minutes, and 23 seconds, surpassing Uganda’s Joshua Cheptegei, an accomplished double Olympic champion, who finished in ninth place. Takele’s performance marked his first major marathon title, where he pulled ahead of competitors with four kilometers left, improving his personal best by one second.
In the women’s category, Sutume Asefa Kebede from Ethiopia successfully defended her title with a time of 2 hours, 16 minutes, and 31 seconds. She was followed closely by Kenya’s Winfridah Moraa Moseti, who finished in 2:16:56, while Kebede’s fellow Ethiopian Hawi Feysa secured third place with a time of 2:17:00.
During the event, Takele expressed his satisfaction with the race conditions, stating, “The weather wasn’t a problem, it wasn’t too hot and for me it was comfortable. The course was good, and this was a great day for me. In the future, I hope to run even better than I did today.” Meanwhile, Cheptegei, participating in his second marathon after debuting in Valeencia two years ago, completed the race in 2:05:59.
Notably, former women’s world record-holder Paula Radcliffe, aged 51, returned to marathon competition after a decade hiatus, finishing with a time of 2:57:26. Radcliffe also revealed plans to compete in the Boston Marathon next month, further emphasizing her enduring presence in the sport.
The Tokyo Marathon witnessed an impressive display of endurance and skill, with Ethiopia emerging as a dominant force by clinching both the men’s and women’s titles. Noteworthy performances were highlighted by Tadese Takele and Sutume Asefa Kebede, both of whom not only secured victories but did so under favorable conditions that contributed to their remarkable times. The event also marked the return of Paula Radcliffe, highlighting the ongoing allure and competitive spirit surrounding marathon events.
Original Source: news.rthk.hk
