Ethiopian Tadese Takele won the Tokyo Marathon in a time of 2:03:23, marking his first major title. Uganda’s Joshua Cheptegei finished ninth, clocking in at 2:05:59. Ethiopia’s Sutume Asefa Kebede defended her title in the women’s race. The event faced warmer conditions, with Cheptegei expressing gratitude for his performance despite challenges.
On March 2, in Tokyo, Ethiopia’s Tadese Takele triumphed at the Tokyo Marathon, completing the race in 2 hours, 3 minutes, and 23 seconds. Takele separated from the pack approximately 4 kilometers before the finish line, achieving his inaugural major marathon victory while improving his personal best by one second. Deresa Geleta of Ethiopia secured second place with a time of 2:03:51, while Kenya’s Vincent Kipkemoi Ngetich finished third in 2:04:00.
In the women’s race, Ethiopia’s Sutume Asefa Kebede defended her title, clocking in at 2:16:31. Kenya’s Winfridah Moraa Moseti followed in second place with a time of 2:16:56, and fellow Ethiopian Hawi Feysa came in third, finishing in 2:17:00. The marathon took place under conditions that were warmer than usual, yet Takele expressed comfort with the temperature, stating that he found the course favorable.
Joshua Cheptegei, Uganda’s double Olympic track champion, finished ninth in the marathon, registering a time of 2:05:59. This marked his second attempt at the marathon distance after debuting in Valencia two years prior. Cheptegei acknowledged his gratitude for participating in Tokyo and noted some positive aspects to take away from his experience despite facing challenges with the warm conditions.
Cheptegei commented on the unusual heat, as temperatures reached 20 degrees Celsius by race’s end, saying, “Regardless, I am not complaining. I am really satisfied with the result and it can be a build-up for next season.” He aims to utilize this experience for his future endeavors. Additionally, former women’s world record-holder Paula Radcliffe, now aged 51, completed her first marathon in a decade, finishing in a time of 2:57:26 and expressing plans to participate in the upcoming Boston Marathon.
In conclusion, the Tokyo Marathon showcased notable performances, highlighted by Tadese Takele’s victory and Joshua Cheptegei’s determined ninth-place finish. Takele’s achievement marks an important milestone as he aims for future success, while Cheptegei seeks to build upon this experience for the following season. The women’s race was also memorable, featuring Kebede’s title defense and Radcliffe’s remarkable return to the marathon scene.
Original Source: www.malaymail.com
