High altitude training pays off for Brigid Kosgei in Tokyo Marathon

Kenya's Brigid Kosgei on Sunday stormed to victory to win this year's edition of the Tokyo Marathon in Japan.

Tokyo Marathon is one of the seven Abbott Marathon Majors with the others being Boston Mar-athon, London Marathon, Sydney Marathon, Berlin Marathon, Chicago Marathon and New York Marathon.

Kosgei who shifted her training sessions from Kapsait to Iten both in Elgeyo Marakwet, man-aged to run the second-fastest time in her marathon career and a course record of 2:14:29.

Ethiopian Bertukan Welde secured second place in 2:16:36 while her compatriot Hawi Feysa outsprinted Kebede for a podium place, finishing third as both athletes clocked 2:17:39.

Kebede and Kosgei initially broke away before she engaged another gear at the 35km mark where she led all the way to the finish line to claim her sixth title in the Abbott Marathon Majors which also announced her return in the distance.

This was an impressive performance from Kosgei since 2022 in the Abbott Marathon Majors where she managed to lower the earlier record held by Ethiopia's of 2:15:55 that was set by two-time winner Sutume Asefa Kebede in 2024.

Other Kenyans Viola Cheptoo (2:19:05) and Pascalia Jepkogei (2:21:39) managed to finish the race in sixth and ninth positions respectively.

Kosgei broke the world record in 2018 when she competed at the Chicago Marathon clocking 2:14:04 which was later broken by Ethiopia's Tigst Assefa who clocked 2:11:53 before Kenya's Ruth Chepngetich lowered it further timing 2:09:56.

Kosgei who has since changed her allegiance to Turkey and waiting clearance from World Ath-letics is currently fifth fastest of all time and the fastest this season.

In the men's category, Ethiopia's Tadese Takele managed to win the race in a spirited fight with Kenya's Geoffrey Toroitich who were both awarded same time of 2:03:37 with Alexander Munyao crossing the line in 2:03:38. Daniel Mateiko settled for fourth position in 2:03:44 while Vincent Ngetich finished in ninth place clocking 2:05:21.

The men's category saw a group of 10 athletes stuck together up to the 35km where they started falling out one by one and at the 40km, it was a contention for victory where Mateiko, Toroitich, Munyao and Takele were all were eyeing the title before Takele bagged the title.

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. Violah 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. Geoffrey Toroitich (KEN) 2:03:37

3. Alexander Mutiso (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 Ngetich (KEN) 2:05:21

10. Shifera Tamru (ETH) 2:05:56

Follow our WhatsApp channel for breaking news updates and more stories like this.