Brigid Kosgei smashes course record to win second Tokyo Marathon title as Kenya claims double podium in men’s race behind Tadese

• Brigid Kosgei smashed course record to win second Tokyo Marathon title on Sunday, 1 March.
• Kenya claimed a double podium in men’s race behind Tadese Takele who crossed the line in 2:03:37 narrowly edging Kenya’s Geoffrey Toroitich.
• Alexander Mutiso Munyao secured bronze in 2:03:38.

Kenya’s long-distance dominance was once again evident on the streets of Tokyo after Brigid Kosgei delivered a masterclass performance to win the women’s elite race at the 2026 Tokyo Marathon on Sunday, 1 March.

Kosgei clocked 2:14:29 to claim top honours, breaking away from her closest rivals before the 35km mark in a decisive move that ultimately sealed the race.

Calm and composed throughout, the Kenyan star controlled the tempo before injecting pace when it mattered most, leaving the chasing pack struggling to respond.

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Brigid Kosgei win second Tokyo Marathon title

It marked her second victory in the Japanese capital and reaffirmed her place among the world’s elite marathoners.

Behind her, Ethiopia’s Bertukan Welde finished second in 2:16:36, while compatriot Hawi Feysa came home third in 2:17:39.

Back-to-back Tokyo champion Sutume Asefa Kebede was unable to maintain the pace in the latter stages and faded to fourth.

The men’s race provided a dramatic spectacle, with Ethiopia’s Tadese Takele successfully defending his title in a tightly contested sprint finish.

Takele crossed the line in 2:03:37, narrowly edging Kenya’s Geoffrey Toroitich, who was credited with the same time but placed second after the photo finish. Alexander Mutiso Munyao secured bronze in 2:03:38, just a second behind the leading pair.

Daniel Mateiko added to Kenya’s strong showing by finishing fourth in 2:03:44. Italy’s Iliass Aouani placed sixth, ahead of Tokyo 2020 10,000m champion Selemon Barega, who finished seventh.

In the wheelchair races, Switzerland enjoyed a golden afternoon. Marcel Hug dominated the men’s wheelchair race in 1:21:09, while Catherine Debrunner claimed victory in the women’s wheelchair category in 1:37:15.

Race organisers confirmed that the top male and female finishers each earned $80,000 in prize money, with $30,000 going to second place and $15,000 to third.

Athletes finishing from fourth to tenth also received financial rewards. A $200,000 bonus remains on offer for any athlete who breaks the marathon world record currently held by Kelvin Kiptum (2:00:35) in the men’s race and Ruth Chepng’etich (2:09:56) in the women’s race.

Although no records were broken this time, Kenya will celebrate Kosgei’s commanding win and the double podium finish in the men’s race as another proud chapter in the country’s marathon legacy.

Full Results – Tokyo Marathon 2026

Men’s Elite Race (Top 10)

1. Tadese Takele (ETH) – 2:03:37
2. Geoffrey Toroitich (KEN) – 2:03:37
3. Alexander Mutiso Munyao (KEN) – 2:03:38
4. Daniel Mateiko (KEN) – 2:03:44
5. Muktar Edris (ETH) – 2:04:07
6. Iliass Aouani (ITA) – 2:04:26
7. Selemon Barega (ETH) – 2:05:00
8. Seifu Tura (ETH) – 2:05:02
9. Vincent Kipkemoi Ngetich (KEN) – 2:05:21
10. Shifera Tamru (ETH) – 2:05:56

Women’s Elite Race (Top 10)

1. Brigid Kosgei (KEN) – 2:14:29
2. Bertukan Welde (ETH) – 2:16:36
3. Hawi Feysa (ETH) – 2:17:39
4. Sutume Asefa Kebede (ETH) – 2:17:39
5. Megertu Alemu (ETH) – 2:18:50
6. Viola Cheptoo (KEN) – 2:19:05
7. Mestawut Fikir (ETH) – 2:20:00
8. Aberu Ayana (ETH) – 2:20:30
9. Pascalia Jepkogei (KEN) – 2:21:39
10. Ai Hosoda (JPN) – 2:23:39

Men’s Wheelchair Race (Top 10)

1. Marcel Hug (SUI) – 1:21:09
2. Xingchuan Luo (CHN) – 1:28:08
3. Watanabe Sho (JPN) – 1:33:10
4. Samuel Rizzo (AUS) – 1:33:12
5. Geert Schipper (NED) – 1:33:12
6. Nishida Hiroki (JPN) – 1:33:19
7. Kishizawa Hiroki (JPN) – 1:36:15
8. Hokinoue Kota (JPN) – 1:36:16
9. Higuchi Masayuki (JPN) – 1:36:16
10. Kawamuro Ryuichi (JPN) – 1:37:08

Women’s Wheelchair Race (Top 10)

1. Catherine Debrunner (SUI) – 1:37:15
2. Eden Rainbow Cooper (GBR) – 1:41:13
3. Zhaoqian Zhou (CHN) – 1:41:13
4. Tatyana McFadden (USA) – 1:41:15
5. Vanessa de Souza (BRA) – 1:41:20
6. Tsuchida Wakako (JPN) – 1:41:20
7. Nakamine Tsubasa (JPN) – 1:41:20
8. Manuela Schär (SUI) – 1:42:17
9. Patricia Eachus (SUI) – 1:47:34
10. Madison de Rozario (AUS) – 1:52:08