All eyes will be on Tokyo, Japan, on Sunday, March 2, as a contingent of talented Kenyan runners compete for millions at the Tokyo Marathon – the first of the 2025 World Marathon Majors.
The favourite to clinch the win is probably Kenya’s Benson Kipruto, who is aiming to become the first Kenyan to win back-to-back Tokyo Marathons. The last man to achieve this was Ethiopia’s Birhanu Legese in 2019 and 2020.
Kipruto has the credentials, as in 2024, he made his mark on the world stage by not only winning the marathon but also breaking Eliud Kipchoge's previous record by 24 seconds.
In terms of prize money, the Tokyo Marathon is among the highest-paying in the world, ranking fourth behind the Nagoya Women's Marathon (also in Japan), the Boston Marathon, and the Chicago Marathon.
All eyes will be on Tokyo, Japan, on Sunday, 2 March, as a contingent of talented Kenyan runners compete for millions at the Tokyo Marathon – the first of the 2025 World Marathon Majors.
The favourite to clinch the win is arguably Kenya’s Benson Kipruto, who is aiming to become the first Kenyan to win back-to-back Tokyo Marathons. The last man to achieve this was Ethiopia’s Birhanu Legese in 2019 and 2020.
Kipruto has the credentials, as in 2024, he made his mark on the world stage by not only winning the marathon but also breaking Eliud Kipchoge's previous record by 24 seconds.
In terms of prize money, the Tokyo Marathon is among the highest-paying in the world, ranking fourth behind the Nagoya Women's Marathon (also in Japan), the Boston Marathon, and the Chicago Marathon.
Other Kenyans in line to compete for the prize money in the elite men's category include Vincent Kipkemoi Ngetich, Titus Kipruto, Vincent Kibor Raimoi and Geoffrey Toroitich.
Uganda's Cheptegei, a world 5000m and 10,000m record-holder will be competing in his second ever high-profile marathon after securing a time of 2:08:59 during his debut in Valencia in 2023.
In the women's category, Magdalene Masai is set to represent Kenya alongside Brigid Kosgei, Rosemary Wanjiru, and Winfridah Moraa Moseti.
Rosemary Wanjiru will be hoping to outshine her fierce rival, Ethiopian runner Sutume Asefa Kebede, who edged her out in the 2024 edition to claim the top prize. Wanjiru earned KSh 5.1 million (approximately USD 40,000) for finishing second last year.
