Kenya's Brigid Kosgei won the women's Tokyo Marathon on March 1, 2026, setting a course record of 2:14:29. Ethiopia's Tadese Takele defended his men's title in 2:03:37, edging Kenya's Geoffrey Toroitich in a sprint finish after both recorded the same time.
The 2026 Tokyo Marathon, held under warm, dry conditions on March 1 in Tokyo, showcased elite East African dominance. In the women's race, 32-year-old Brigid Kosgei of Kenya dominated, finishing in 2:14:29 to set a new course record, surpassing the previous mark of 2:15:55 set by Ethiopia's Sutume Asefa Kebede in 2024. She finished over two minutes ahead of Ethiopia's Bertukan Welde (2:16:36), with Hawi Feysa (Ethiopia) third in 2:17:39.
Kosgei, who won silver in the marathon at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics and a previous Tokyo Marathon, plans to represent Turkey at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. "We have a lot of athletes in Kenya," she said. "I want some young generation to follow my step to join me in Turkey."
The men's race was a thriller, with 23-year-old Ethiopia's Tadese Takele securing back-to-back titles in 2:03:37, matching Kenya's Geoffrey Toroitich's time but winning via sprint finish. Kenya's Alexander Mutiso Munyao took third in 2:03:38. A leading pack including Takele, Toroitich, Mutiso, and Kenya's Daniel Mateiko broke away around 37km. Takele reflected: "I knew that the final stage would be decisive. Around 41km I wanted to wait and see what would happen and then I made my move right before the finish."
The field saw pre-race withdrawals due to injury, including Kenya's Timothy Kiplagat and Ethiopia's Milkesa Mengesha. East African runners swept the podiums, highlighting the region's depth in marathon running.