Ethiopia’s Tadese Takele claimed victory at the Tokyo Marathon with a time of 2:03:23, while Uganda’s Joshua Cheptegei finished ninth. In the women’s race, Sutume Asefa Kebede retained her title. Despite heat challenges, Cheptegei expressed satisfaction with his performance and optimism for future events.
On March 2nd, Tadese Takele of Ethiopia triumphed in the Tokyo Marathon, recording a time of 2 hours, 3 minutes, and 23 seconds. He gained the lead with approximately 4 kilometers remaining, earning his first major marathon title and improving his previous personal record by a second. Ethiopia’s Deresa Geleta finished in second place with a time of 2:03:51, while Kenya’s Vincent Kipkemoi Ngetich secured third place with a time of 2:04:00.
In the women’s division, Sutume Asefa Kebede successfully defended her title by finishing in 2:16:31. Kenya’s Winfridah Moraa Moseti followed closely behind in second place with a time of 2:16:56, while Ethiopia’s Hawi Feysa placed third at 2:17:00. The event showcased remarkable performances amidst warm weather conditions in Tokyo.
Joshua Cheptegei, a double Olympic champion from Uganda, concluded the marathon in ninth place, completing the race in 2:05:59. This marked his second marathon experience following a debut at Valencia two years prior. Cheptegei expressed gratitude for participating in Tokyo and acknowledged the challenges posed by the heat, reaching 20 Celsius (68 Fahrenheit) by the race’s conclusion.
Despite the difficulties on the course, Cheptegei remained optimistic, stating, “I am really satisfied with the result and it can be a build-up for next season.” Meanwhile, Benson Kipruto of Kenya, a previous bronze medalist at the Paris Olympics, finished sixth in 2:05:46. Notably, former world record-holder Paula Radcliffe returned to the marathon scene at age 51, completing the race in 2:57:26, with plans to participate in the Boston Marathon next month.
In conclusion, the Tokyo Marathon showcased exceptional talent, with Tadese Takele winning the men’s race and Sutume Asefa Kebede successfully defending her title in the women’s event. Despite challenges posed by the weather, Joshua Cheptegei expressed optimism about his performance, while notable veterans like Paula Radcliffe made impressive returns to the marathon circuit. The event underscored the resilience of these elite athletes as they prepared for future competitions.
Original Source: www.malaymail.com
