At the 2025 Tokyo Marathon, Tadese Takele and Sutume Asefa Kebede won the men’s and women’s races for Ethiopia, respectively. Takele finished at 2:03:23 and Kebede at 2:16:29, both showcasing dominance amidst challenging temperatures. Other notable performances included Joshua Cheptegei achieving a personal best, while defending champions struggled. The event marked a key moment in marathon history with potential implications for the upcoming Olympics.
Ethiopian athletes Tadese Takele and Sutume Asefa Kebede triumphed at the 2025 Tokyo Marathon, securing victories in the men’s and women’s categories, respectively, on 2 March. Takele finished first with a time of 2:03:23, while Kebede defended her title with a time of 2:16:29. The competition marked the first World Marathon Major of the year, and Ethiopia showcased its strength with Deresa Geleta finishing second in the men’s race.
Takele’s performance capped a remarkable Ethiopian finish, with Geleta clocking 2:03:51 and Kenya’s Vincent Kipkemoi Ngetich finishing third at 2:04:00. In the women’s race, Kebede was followed by Winfrida Moraa Moseti of Kenya and Hawi Feysa of Ethiopia, who finished in 2:16:56 and 2:17:00 respectively. Olympic champion Joshua Cheptegei achieved a personal best of 2:05:56, placing ninth in his second marathon.
The marathon was challenged by rising temperatures above 20 °C, which affected many runners, including the previous men’s champion Benson Kipruto, who finished sixth. Paula Radcliffe made her return to the marathon scene, finishing 111th in a time of 2:57:26, significantly behind her former world record. Radcliffe plans to compete in Boston, aiming for her Six Star finisher status.
Takele’s strategy involved breaking away from a leading pack in the final stages of the race. This marked his third marathon and he expressed optimism for future performances. He stated, “I thought I ran a very good race… I’m happy I raced a new personal best.” Cheptegei commented on his performance, acknowledging conditions that prevented him from achieving a desired time, but expressed satisfaction with his progress.
The event highlighted the resilience and skill of marathon runners, particularly under challenging weather conditions. Competitive races such as this reinforce the importance of preparation and strategy in achieving personal and professional goals. Both winners demonstrated outstanding capabilities, positioning themselves strongly in the world of athletics, particularly with the upcoming Paris 2024 Olympics.
The 2025 Tokyo Marathon showcased the athletic prowess of Ethiopian runners, with Tadese Takele and Sutume Asefa Kebede earning significant victories. Takele’s strategic racing and Kebede’s successful title defense underline their statuses as elite marathoners. The event also highlighted challenges posed by rising temperatures, affecting many competitors, including established champions. Overall, the race served as a platform for personal records and future aspirations in the marathon circuit, particularly in light of the upcoming Olympic Games.
Original Source: www.olympics.com
