It was sunny with temperatures at 14 degrees Celsius and 41% humidity at the start of the race. Weather conditions were fair until halfway into the race, but by the time the top group finished, the temperature had risen to 20.3 degrees Celsius, with the sun’s rays getting stronger toward the end.

In the men’s field, TAKELE, Tadese (Ethiopia) who pulled out from the group toward the end of the race, won his first Tokyo Marathon with a time of 2:03:23. He shared his joy and commented, “It was a very good race today. I’m happy to have improved my personal best.”

The pace of the race was the fastest on record marking 14:25 at the 5km point. Eight runners made up the first group and hit the halfway point at 1:01:18. OTA, Aoi (Aoyama Gakuin University), who had been leading the pack, began to fall behind at this point. The pack ran in a narrow configuration as NGETICH, Vincent Kipkemoi (Kenya) took the lead near the 28km mark. After the pacemaker broke away at the 30km mark, it became a three-way battle between TAKELE, NGETICH and GELETA, Deresa (Ethiopia). As the sun gradually became hotter, TAKELE pulled out just before the 39km mark and finished ahead of GELETA and NGETICH. He showed off his strength by running light footed to the end. “It didn’t feel hot, and the condition was good.”

TAKELE ran in the 3000m obstacle course at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games and 42.195km for the first time at the Berlin Marathon in 2023 with a time of 2:03:23. When asked about his plans, he shared his goals. “I hope to improve my time and win at the Olympics with a good run.”

GELETA finished second with a time of 2:03:51, with NGETICH placing third at 2:04:00.

CHEPTEGEI, Joshua (Uganda), who is the world record holder for the 5000m and 10000m and an Olympic gold medalist in both events, finished in ninth place with a time of 2:05:59. He broke his record of 2:08:59 which he set at his first marathon in Valencia in December 2023. He ran in the second pack from the start maintaining a pace under 15:00 per 5km but began to slow down past the 30km mark which also impacted his ranking.

The Japanese athletes were vying for a spot at the Tokyo 2025 World Athletics Championships to be held in September, leading to a fierce battle for the top position to the end. OTA, who had been leading the race from the start, slowed down around the 28km mark. IKEDA, Yohei (Kao) and AKASAKI, Akira caught up with IKEDA pulling out in front near the 32km point. Soon they were being chased by URANO, Yuhei (Fujitsu), ICHIYAMA, Tsubasa (Sunbelx) and INOUE, Hirohito (Mitsubishi Heavy Industries), further adding to the intense competition. ICHIYAMA pulled out just before the 40km mark, leaving the others behind and finishing 10th with a time of 2:06:00. He was surprised as he was surrounded by the press when he finished, realizing that he was the top Japanese finisher. His strategy seemed to work perfectly. “I am not very good at downhill running, so I ran efficiently in the first section, preserving my energy to give it my all in the second half.”

INOUE was the second Japanese finisher with URANO taking third and IKEDA placing fourth in the Japanese men’s field. OTA, who led the front pack from the start, pulled out of the race near the 36km mark.

In the women’s field, last year’s winner KEBEDE, Sutume Asefa (Ethiopia) captured her second consecutive win with a time of 2:16:31. This is the first consecutive win for the women, and she smiled as she commented. “I am very happy to have won.”

She ran in the lead in a solo trip from the start, keeping a very fast pace and marking 1:06:20 at the half, but she began to slow down around the 25km mark. Her expression showed her satisfaction as she shared her enthusiasm to run again in the Tokyo Marathon 2025. “I had to deal with the heat and fatigue past 35km and there was a light breeze from the 37km mark. But overall, it was good, and I ran well. It will be a historical moment if I win again.”

In the battle for second place, MOSETI, Winfridah Moraa (Kenya) maintained her pace through the second half and placed second with a time of 2:16:56. FEYSA, Hawi (Ethiopia) who lost the battle against MOSETI, took third marking 2:17:00. The winner of the 2023 event, WANJIRU, Rosemary (Kenya), took fifth place with a time of 2:19:57.

In the race for the top position to qualify for the Tokyo 2025 World Athletics Championships, ANDO, Yuka placed 11th in the Japanese women’s field with a time of 2:23:37. “I slowed down after 30km when I was running on my own. I’m disappointed I couldn’t reach my target time.” She wasn’t able to run under 2:20:00, but she is almost confirmed for a spot at the Tokyo 2025 World Athletics Championships 2025. Having placed 17th at the London 2017 World Athletics Championships , she shared her commitment. “I hope to stand at the starting line to get revenge for 2017 and overcome my issues if I’m chosen for the national team.”

HOSODA, Ai (Edion) fell behind the second pack around the 13km mark and could not pick up her pace. She placed 13th with a time of 2:27:43. She bit her lip as she commented, “It wasn’t anywhere close to my target time, but I was able to give everything I’m capable of at this time.”