Kenyan double Olympic champion Eliud Kipchoge is set to participate in the Tokyo Marathon in March as part of his preparation for the Tokyo Olympic Games.

What’s more, Dutch distance runner Sifan Hassan aims to maintain her unbeaten marathon record when she competes in Tokyo for the first time on March 3.

Kipchoge, the Tokyo course record-holder with a time of 2:02:40 from 2022, representing the NN Running Team, views participation in the Tokyo race as beneficial in his pursuit of a third Olympic marathon title in the French capital in August.

Speaking about his upcoming participation in the Tokyo Marathon, Kipchoge expressed his positive sentiments: “I have good memories in Japan. I won my Olympic gold medal there and ran the course record in the Tokyo Marathon. Last time, I was grateful for the organisation to organise the event during such a difficult time during the Covid-19 pandemic. My aim was to set the course record and it was great to achieve that. I feel good working towards my next race in Tokyo. For me, it is the perfect preparation towards my aim to win my third consecutive Olympic title next summer in Paris.”

Kipchoge, who turned 39 in November, has been in exceptional form, securing his fifth victory in the Berlin Marathon in September with a time of 2:02:42. Kenya has already announced both men’s and women’s teams for the Paris Games, with Kipchoge and world record holder Kelvin Kiptum leading the men’s squad.

Joining Kipchoge and Kiptum in the men’s roster are Vincent Ngetich, who finished second at the Berlin Marathon this year, Timothy Kiplagat, Rotterdam Marathon runners-up, former Chicago and Boston Marathon champion Benson Kipruto, Bernard Koech, two-time New York Marathon champion Geoffrey Kamworor, Cyprian Kotut, 2022 London Marathon champion Amos Kipruto, and Titus Kipruto.

Meanwhile, the women’s team will be spearheaded by Boston and New York Marathon champion Hellen Obiri, former world record holder Brigid Kosgei, ex-New York and London Marathon winner Peres Jepchirchir, Tokyo Marathon champion Rosemary Wanjiru, and former world champion marathoner Ruth Chepngetich.

Other members include former world half marathon record holder Joycilline Jepkosgei, Sheila Chepkirui, Judith Jeptum Korir, Selly Chepyego, and Sharon Lokedi, who won the New York Marathon last year before finishing third in November.