Reigning Tokyo Marathon champion and 2024 Olympic bronze medallist Benson Kipruto is set to defend his title on March 2, 2025, on the streets of Tokyo. The 33-year-old Kenyan star will return to the course where he clocked an impressive 2:02:16 last year, leading a Kenyan podium sweep alongside Timothy Kiplagat (2:02:55) and Vincent Kipkemoi (2:04:18).
However, Kipruto faces a fresh challenge from Uganda’s Joshua Cheptegei, the 2024 Olympic 10,000m champion, who is gearing up for his second marathon appearance. Cheptegei’s transition from track dominance to the marathon has added a layer of intrigue to what promises to be a thrilling race.
“We are set for world-class racing. Kipruto will be striving to defend his crown, while Cheptegei looks to make a statement in the marathon. Expect fierce competition to the finish,” said race director Yasuhiro Oshima.
Kipruto’s Marathon Legacy
Kipruto’s marathon résumé speaks for itself. His Tokyo victory in 2024 secured him a place on Kenya’s Olympic marathon team, where he clinched bronze in Paris with a time of 2:07:00, finishing behind Ethiopia’s Tamirat Tola (2:06:26) and Belgium’s Bashir Abdi (2:06:47).
Despite finishing fourth at the Kolkata 25km race (1:13:25) in late 2024, Kipruto remains one of the top marathoners in the world. His achievements include:
- 2021 Boston Marathon Champion (2:09:51)
- 2022 Chicago Marathon Winner (2:04:24)
- 2023 Chicago Marathon Runner-Up (2:04:02) in a race where Kelvin Kiptum set a world record (2:00:35).
Cheptegei’s Growing Marathon Presence
Joshua Cheptegei, a track legend with three World Championship titles in the 10,000m (2019, 2022, 2023) and double Olympic gold (10,000m and 5,000m at the Tokyo Games), is looking to make his mark in the marathon.
Cheptegei debuted in the marathon in December 2023, finishing 37th in Valencia with a time of 2:08:59. While his debut performance was underwhelming, he showed his road-racing potential with a 59:46 victory at the 2024 New Delhi Half Marathon and boasts other strong results, including a fourth-place finish at the 2020 World Half Marathon Championships (59:21).
His entry into the Tokyo Marathon is highly anticipated, as he looks to test his endurance against seasoned marathoners like Kipruto.
Other Key Contenders
Kenya’s Vincent Kipkemoi, who finished third in last year’s Tokyo Marathon, and 2022 Amsterdam Marathon champion Titus Kipruto will also be in the mix, adding more depth to Kenya’s charge for the title.
Women’s Race: Brigid Kosgei Returns
In the women’s race, 2020 Olympic silver medallist Brigid Kosgei headlines the field, aiming for her second Tokyo Marathon crown. Kosgei, who triumphed in 2021 with a stunning 2:16:02, brings a wealth of experience, including back-to-back victories at the Chicago Marathon (2018, 2019) and London Marathon (2019, 2020).
Defending champion Sutume Kebede and 2023 Tokyo Marathon winner Rosemary Wanjiru are expected to provide stiff competition. Ethiopia’s Tigist Ketema, the 2024 Dubai Marathon champion, is also in contention, making the women’s race equally competitive.
High-Stakes Showdown
With Kipruto looking to defend his title, Cheptegei eager to prove himself on the marathon stage, and a host of elite runners in both the men’s and women’s fields, the 2025 Tokyo Marathon promises to deliver an unforgettable spectacle. Fans can expect fierce battles and potentially record-breaking performances on March 2.
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