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Will knowledge of Tokyo course favour Kenyans in men’s marathon?
Benson Kipruto of Kenya crosses the finish line to win men's race during the Tokyo Marathon on March 3, 2024.
What you need to know:
- Vincent Ngetich, Benson Kipruto and Titus Kipruto have competed on the streets of Tokyo before.
- Ethiopia will be led by reigning Tokyo Marathon champion Tadesa Tekele, and Deresa Geleta.
In Tokyo
The 2024 Tokyo Marathon champion Benson Kipruto leads his compatriots Vincent Kipkemoi Ngetich, Titus Kipruto, Hilary Kipkoech, and Vincent Kibor in men’s marathon on Monday from 1:30am (Kenyan time) as the country fights to retain its position as the most successful in the discipline at the World Athletics Championships.
Ngetich, Benson Kipruto and Titus Kipruto have competed on the streets of Tokyo before. On March 2, Ng’etich timed 2 hours and four minutes to finish third in the 2025 Tokyo Marathon while Benson Kipruto finished seventh in the same race. Benson Kipruto won the 2024 Tokyo Marathon in a Personal Best time of 2:02:16, which is also a course record.
Ethiopia will be led by reigning Tokyo Marathon champion Tadesa Tekele, and Deresa Geleta who took silver medal this year in Tokyo.
Most successful country
The Kenyans and Ethiopians will come up against defending champion Victor Kiplangat from Uganda, and his compatriots Abel Chelangat, Steven Kisa and Solomon Mutai.
In 2023, Uganda’s Vincent Kiplangat became the second runner from his country to win world marathon gold, 10 years after Stephen Kiprotich had achieved that distinction.
Since the first edition of the world championships in Helsinki in 1983, Kenya have won the most gold medals -- five in the women’s category and an equal number in the men’s category.
Ethiopia is the next most successful country with six gold medals followed by Spain with three. Kenya last won gold in men’s marathon in 2017 London when Geoffrey Kirui triumphed.
