The a number of Olympic observe champion will participate in his second ever race over 26.2 miles within the Japanese capital
Joshua Cheptegei, the present 5000m and 10,000m world record-holder, headlines this yr’s Tokyo Marathon (March 2).
The 28-year-old, who’s a a number of Olympic observe champion and secured 10,000m gold in Paris final summer season, will compete in simply his second ever race over 26.2 miles.
Cheptegei made his anticipated debut within the distance in Valencia two years in the past, with the Ugandan putting thirty seventh in 2:08:59, including that “the marathon has no respect for individuals”.
First drawn to the marathon as a 15-year-old – he noticed fellow Ugandan Stephen Kiprotich race to Olympic gold at London 2012 – Cheptegei at all times dreamed of competing over 26.2 miles and, earlier than Valencia, sought recommendation from compatriot Kiprotich and Eliud Kipchoge.
Joshua Cheptegei (Getty)
Cheptegei, who additionally grew to become world particular person cross-country champion in Aarhus six years in the past, will likely be hoping to make use of that sort of power and stamina to assert a private finest within the marathon in Tokyo.
He’ll face stiff competitors nevertheless, with the favorite for the lads’s area being reigning champion Benson Kipruto.
Kipruto, who secured victory finally yr’s Tokyo Marathon in a private finest of two:02:16, additionally claimed bronze for Kenya over the gap on the Paris Olympics.
A 3-time main winner, Kipruto additionally triumphed on the 2021 Boston and 2022 Chicago marathons respectively.
Benson Kipruto (Getty)
This yr’s version in Tokyo would be the 33-year-old’s seventeenth marathon, so he additionally has expertise on his aspect within the Japanese capital.
Ethiopia’s Deresa Gelata, who positioned fifth on the Paris Olympics, will likely be one to observe.
Gelata boasts a finest of two:02:38 within the marathon, recorded final month in Valencia, which put him seventh on the all-time listing behind Kipruto.
It’s an extremely sturdy males’s area in Tokyo, with different athletes to look out for together with Birhanu Legese (2:02:48), Vincent Kipkemoi (2:03:13), Tadese Takele (2:03:24), Dawit Wolde (2:03:48) and Leul Gebresilase (2:04:02).
Sutume Asefa Kebede (Getty)
In a aggressive ladies’s area, Sutume Kebede is the slight favorite because the reigning champion, regardless that she will likely be examined closely in Tokyo.
Finally yr’s version, the Ethiopian received by 19 seconds and clocked a private finest of two:15:55 in her victory.
Kebede will likely be assured of retaining her crown, particularly after putting second in Chicago, however faces three of the highest 10 on the ladies’s marathon all-time listing.
Former world record-holder Brigid Kosgei may very well be properly be Sebede’s greatest risk and can be a earlier winner of the Tokyo Marathon.
Brigid Kosgei (Getty)
Kosgei, who has a finest of two:14:04, additionally positioned second within the Olympic marathon 5 years in the past and has triumphed at 5 majors.
Don’t depend out Tigist Ketema (2:16:07) and Rosemary Wanjiru (2:16:04), who’re eighth and ninth on the all-time listing over 26.2 miles respectively.
Gotytom Gebreslase may need a slower private finest (2:18:11) however, because the 2022 world marathon champion, is more likely to contend for the win as properly.
» Subscribe to AW journal right here, take a look at our new podcast right here or signal as much as our digital archive of again points from 1945 to the current day right here
