Brigid Kosgei blitzes course record to win second Tokyo crown

Brigid Kosgei stormed to victory in the women’s race at the 2026 Tokyo Marathon on Sunday, 1 March, clocking a sensational 2:14:29 to shatter the course record and claim her second title in Japan.

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The 32-year-old Kenyan, who withdrew from the 2025 edition, produced a commanding performance to break the previous course mark of 2:15:55 set in 2024 by Ethiopia’s Sutume Asefa Kebede.

Kosgei’s time also came within 25 seconds of her personal best of 2:14:04, the women’s-only world record she set in 2019.

It took more than 20 miles for Kosgei to decisively pull away from Kebede, the two-time defending champion who previously owned the two fastest times in race history.

By 30 km, the pair had dipped under a 2:15 pace, crossing the mark in 1:35:53, 13 seconds ahead of the chasing pack.

Kosgei made her winning move shortly after, opening a 22-second gap by 35km (1:51:40 to 1:52:02).

She maintained her relentless pace to win by more than two minutes, reclaiming the title she first won in 2021 and running the seventh-fastest time in history, the second-quickest performance of her career.

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Behind her, Ethiopia’s Bertukan Welde surged to a one-minute personal best of 2:16:36 to secure second place in just her fourth marathon.

Reigning Chicago Marathon champion Hawi Feysa outsprinted Kebede for third, with both clocking 2:17:39, as Kebede faded to fourth.

Megertu Alemu finished fifth in 2:18:50, while Ai Hosoda was the top Japanese finisher in 2:23:39 for 10th place.

Kosgei, once regarded as one of the world’s dominant marathoners, appears back to her best after battling injuries in recent years.

Her World Marathon Major tally now stands at six victories: Chicago (2018, 2019), London (2019, 2020), and Tokyo (2021, 2026).

Tadesse Takele defends men’s title in dramatic finish

In the men’s race, Ethiopia’s Tadesse Takele timed his finish to perfection to retain his title in 2:03:37, becoming only the second man to win back-to-back Tokyo Marathon crowns.

Takele overpowered Kenya’s Geofry Toroitich Kipchumba and compatriot Alexander Mutiso Munyao in a thrilling sprint finish.

Kipchumba crossed the line in the same time, 2:03:37, while Munyao was just one second back in 2:03:38.

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Japan’s Ryuichi Hashimoto had led through the first half before a large chase pack reeled him in at 26.5km.

Ten athletes passed 30km in 1:28:01, with nine still together at 35km (1:42:56) before the pace intensified.

A decisive group of five broke away, led by Munyao and fellow Kenyan Daniel Mateiko, with Italy’s world bronze medalist Iliass Aouani also in contention.

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By 40 km (1:57:27), Mateiko, Munyao, Toroitich, and Takele remained in the hunt.

Takele then made his decisive move, dropping Mateiko before unleashing a powerful kick to hold off Toroitich on the finishing straight.

Mateiko finished fourth in 2:03:44, while Muktar Edris ran a personal best of 2:04:07 for fifth, and Aouani placed sixth in 2:04:26, breaking the Italian national record.

Leading results

Women

1 Brigid Kosgei (KEN) 2:14:29

2 Bertukan Welde (ETH) 2:16:36

3 Hawi Feysa (ETH) 2:17:39

4 Sutume Asefa Kebede (ETH) 2:17:39

5 Megertu Alemu (ETH) 2:18:50

6 Viola Cheptoo (KEN) 2:19:05

7 Mestawut Fikir (ETH) 2:20:00

8 Aberu Ayana (ETH) 2:20:30

9 Pascalia Jepkogei (KEN) 2:21:39

10 Ai Hosoda (JPN) 2:23:39

Men

1 Tadese Takele (ETH) 2:03:37

2 Geofry Toroitich Kipchumba (KEN) 2:03:37

3 Alexander Mutiso Munyao (KEN) 2:03:38

4 Daniel Mateiko (KEN) 2:03:44

5 Muktar Edris (ETH) 2:04:07

6 Iliass Aouani (ITA) 2:04:26

7 Selemon Barega (ETH) 2:05:00

8 Seifu Tura (ETH) 2:05:02

9 Vincent Kipkemoi Ngetich (KEN) 2:05:21

10 Shifera Tamru (ETH) 2:05:56