Tokyo Marathon 2025 Preview: Elite Fields Set for a Thrilling Showdown

Friday, 28 February 2025

The 2025 Tokyo Marathon is set to kick off the new Abbott World Marathon Majors season with a high-caliber field and intense competition on Sunday, March 2. Returning champions Benson Kipruto and Sutume Asefa Kebede headline an elite lineup packed with Olympic medalists, national record holders, and promising debutants. With Tokyo also hosting the World Athletics Championships later this year, the stakes are even higher, especially for Japanese athletes looking to secure automatic qualification. Fans can expect a thrilling battle on the streets of Japan’s capital, with projected fast paces in both the men’s and women’s races.

Men’s Elite Preview

Reigning champion Benson Kipruto returns to defend his title after an impressive year that included a bronze medal at the Paris 2024 Olympic Marathon. However, the Kenyan faces an exceptionally deep field that includes Joshua Cheptegei, the 5,000m and 10,000m world record holder, who is taking his second shot at the marathon distance. Cheptegei, who won Olympic gold in Paris over 10,000m, has shifted his focus entirely to the marathon and is eager to make his mark.

Alongside Kipruto and Cheptegei, a stacked roster of sub-2:03 and sub-2:04 runners will push the pace from the start. Ethiopia’s Deresa Geleta (5th at the Paris Olympics), Birhanu Legese (one of only three in the field with a sub-2:03 PB), and Leul Gebresilase (World Championship bronze medalist) are all serious contenders. Adding further depth are Kenya’s Vincent Kipkemoi Ngetich and Tadese Tekele, along with Ethiopia’s Dawit Wolde, who recently claimed victory in Xiamen.

The projected pace groups signal a fast race, with the lead pack expected to go through halfway in 60:50—setting the stage for a possible sub-2:02 finish. Kipruto is confident in another victory, while Cheptegei remains cautious, acknowledging that he is still "a student of the marathon" but eager to test himself against the world’s best.

For Japan, all eyes will be on Yohei Ikeda, the country’s second-fastest marathoner of all time (2:05:12), and Akira Akasaki, who finished 6th at the Paris Olympics. Rising star Aoi Ota, a standout from Hakone Ekiden, is making his marathon debut with bold ambitions. A potential national record (2:04:56) could be on the cards, depending on race-day conditions.

Women’s Elite Preview

The women’s race sets up an exciting showdown between the last three Tokyo Marathon champions—Sutume Asefa Kebede (2024), Rosemary Wanjiru (2023), and Brigid Kosgei (2022). Kebede, fresh off a 2:17:32 runner-up finish in Chicago, believes she is in personal-best shape and is determined to defend her title. However, competition is fierce, as Wanjiru and Kosgei have both demonstrated the ability to run faster than Kebede’s Chicago time.

Joining the battle for the podium is Tigist Assefa, the Ethiopian superstar who shocked the world with her 2:11:53 world record in Berlin in 2023. Although not yet confirmed as a favorite, Assefa’s presence would instantly raise the stakes. Japan’s top hope is Rika Hosoda, who narrowly missed a spot on the Olympic team but has been training specifically for this race. She is targeting a sub-2:20 finish, which would make her only the sixth Japanese woman to achieve the feat.

With several top-tier athletes eyeing the podium, the Tokyo Marathon could see one of the fastest women’s races in history. Expect an aggressive pace, with possible course-record-breaking ambitions if the weather and conditions allow.

This year’s Tokyo Marathon promises intense competition across both elite fields, with marathon veterans and debutants alike aiming to make history. Whether it’s Kipruto’s title defense, Cheptegei’s marathon learning curve, or a potential breakthrough performance in the women’s race, all signs point to a thrilling start to the 2025 Abbott World Marathon Majors season.

Here is the updated Elite Field List for the 2025 Tokyo Marathon:

Men’s Elite Field

Benson Kipruto (KEN) – 2:02:16, Defending Champion, Paris Olympic Bronze Medalist
Deresa Geleta (ETH) – 2:02:38, Paris Olympic 5th place
Birhanu Legese (ETH) – 2:02:48, Sub-2:03 Marathoner
Vincent Kipkemoi Ngetich (KEN) – 2:03:13
Tadese Takele (ETH) – 2:03:24
Dawit Wolde (ETH) – 2:03:48, 2024 Xiamen Marathon Winner
Leul Gebresilase (ETH) – 2:04:02, 2023 World Championship Bronze Medalist
Stephen Kissa (UGA) – 2:04:48
Tsegaye Getachew (ETH) – 2:04:49, 2024 Amsterdam Marathon Winner
Amedework Walelegn (ETH) – 2:04:50, 2022 & 2023 Seoul Marathon Winner
Titus Kipruto (KEN) – 2:04:54
Yohei Ikeda (JPN) – 2:05:12, Japan’s Second-Fastest Marathoner
Mulugeta Asefa Uma (ETH) – 2:05:33, 2024 Paris & Toronto Marathon Winner
Ichitaka Yamashita (JPN) – 2:05:51
Kenya Sonota (JPN) – 2:05:59
Hiroto Inoue (JPN) – 2:06:47
He Jie (CHN) – 2:06:57
Vincent Raimoi (KEN) – 2:07:01
Hendrik Pfeiffer (GER) – 2:07:14
Akira Akasaki (JPN) – 2:07:32, 6th Place at Paris Olympics
Suldan Hassan (SWE) – 2:07:36
Joshua Cheptegei (UGA) – 2:08:59, 5000m/10000m World Record Holder, Olympic 10000m Champion
Geoffrey Toroitich (KEN) – Marathon Debut

Women’s Elite Field

Sutume Asefa Kebede (ETH) – 2:15:55, Defending Champion
Tigist Ketema (ETH) – 2:16:07
Rosemary Wanjiru (KEN) – 2:16:14, 2023 Tokyo Marathon Winner
Hawi Feysa (ETH) – 2:17:25
Degitu Azimeraw (ETH) – 2:17:58
Gotytom Gebreslase (ETH) – 2:18:11
Winfridah Moraa Moseti (KEN) – 2:18:25
Mestawut Fikir (ETH) – 2:18:48
Magdalyne Masai (KEN) – 2:18:58
Ai Hosoda (JPN) – 2:20:31
Desi Jisa Mokonin (BRN) – 2:20:47
Yuka Ando (JPN) – 2:21:18
Jessica Stenson (AUS) – 2:24:01
Zhang Deshun (CHN) – 2:24:05
Rie Kawauchi (JPN) – 2:25:35
Kaori Morita (JPN) – 2:26:31
Khishigsaikhan Galbadrakh (MGL) – 2:26:32
Shiho Kaneshige (JPN) – 2:28:51