Sports

Brigid Kosgei sets record to win 2026 Tokyo Marathon

Joel Masibo 01st March, 2026 08:36 AM

Brigid Kosgei wins the 2026 Tokyo Marathon in women’s category on Sunday, March 1, 2026. PHOTO/@TokyoMarathon_E/X

Kenya’s Brigid Kosgei claimed victory in the women’s event after clocking 2:14:29 after pulling out of the 2025 edition, while Ethiopia’s Tadesse Takele triumphed in the men’s race in 2:03:37 at the 2026 Tokyo Marathon staged on Sunday, March 1, 2026, in Japan, which corresponded to Saturday, February 28, 2026, for audiences in the Western Hemisphere.

Women’s race

Former world record holder Brigid Kosgei returned to her best form with a commanding display. The Kenyan star dominated the field, winning by more than two minutes and setting a new course record of 2:14:29, just seconds slower than her former world mark. Kosgei’s victory marked a major resurgence after a series of comparatively modest performances in recent seasons. The Kenyan athlete set a Japanese all-comers’ record of 2:14:29

Kosgei ran the seventh-fastest time in history and the second-quickest performance of her career to regain a title she claimed in 2021, improving on the course record and Japanese all-comers’ record of 2:15:55 that was set by two-time winner Sutume Asefa Kebede in 2024.

Four Ethiopian athletes followed her across the line, led by Bertukan Welde in 2:16:36. Hawi Feysa and Sutume Asefa Kebede shared identical times of 2:17:39, while Megertu Alemu secured fifth place in 2:18:50.

Japan’s Ai Hosoda was the leading local runner, finishing 10th in 2:23:39. China’s Ying Lu placed 12th after setting a new personal best of 2:26:35.

Overall, six women completed the race in under 2:20, while nineteen finished inside the 2:30 barrier, underlining the depth of elite competition.

Brigid Kosgei wins the 2026 Tokyo Marathon in women’s category on Sunday, March 1, 2026. PHOTO/@TokyoMarathon_E/X

Men’s race

As the contest entered its closing stages, spectators witnessed an intense tactical battle, with nine runners forming a tightly packed lead group. Among them were three Kenyans — Geoffrey Toroitich, Alexander Mutiso, and Daniel Mateiko — who attempted to outmanoeuvre Ethiopia’s Tadesse Takele and Muktar Edris.

Their strategy remained effective until the final moments, when Takele unleashed a decisive surge to secure the win. Toroitich and Mutiso completed the podium, while Mateiko crossed the line in fourth, just ahead of Edris in fifth. The leading four athletes all dipped under the 2:04 mark, with Edris following closely in 2:04:07. The final sprint was electrifying, as only seven seconds separated the top five finishers.

The depth of competition was evident, with twelve runners breaking 2:06, twenty-seven finishing under 2:08, and thirty athletes recording sub-2:10 performances.

Takele successfully defended his title, having won the 2025 edition, and came close to his personal best of 2:03:23 set in Tokyo last year.

Canada’s Cameron Levins, the national record holder, placed 14th in 2:06:49, while Japan enjoyed a strong showing, with four runners finishing inside the top 20. Suguru Osako led the home contingent in 12th place with a time of 2:05:59.

Ethiopia’s Takele Tadese wins men’s 2026 Tokyo Marathon on Sunday, March 1, 2026. PHOTO/@TokyoMarathon_E/X

Italy’s Iliass Aouani produced a remarkable performance, finishing sixth in 2:04:26, a significant improvement on his previous best. China’s Peiyou Feng also impressed, registering a new national record and personal best of 2:05:58.

The top American finisher was Casey Clinger, who placed 24th in 2:08:43, slashing more than seven minutes off his previous personal record.