Kenya’s Brigid Kosgei produced a dominant performance to win the 2026 Tokyo Marathon, setting a new course record of 2:14:29.
The 32-year-old crossed the line more than two minutes clear of Ethiopia’s Bertukan Welde, who finished second in 2:16:36. Hawi Feysa, also of Ethiopia, placed third in 2:17:39.
Kosgei’s time eclipsed the previous course record of 2:15:55, established in 2024 by fellow Ethiopian Sutume Asefa Kebede. The victory marks Kosgei’s second triumph in Tokyo, having previously won the race in 2021.
An Olympic silver medallist at the delayed Tokyo Games, Kosgei indicated that she intends to compete for Turkey at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, citing the depth of distance-running talent in Kenya. “We have a lot of athletes in Kenya,” she said. “I want some young generation to follow my step to join me in Turkey.”
In the men’s race, Ethiopia’s Tadese Takele successfully defended his title after a tightly contested sprint finish. Takele was officially credited with 2:03:37, the same time as Kenya’s Geoffrey Toroitich, with Alexander Mutiso Munyao one second behind in third.
The 23-year-old Takele said he anticipated a decisive move in the closing stages. “Around 41km I wanted to wait and see what would happen and then I made my move right before the finish,” he said.
Kosgei’s record-breaking run and Takele’s narrow defence underline the continued dominance of East African athletes in one of the world’s premier marathon events.
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