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Kenya’s Benson Kipruto achieved a remarkable feat by setting new Japanese all-comers’ records at the Tokyo Marathon, a World Athletics Platinum Label road race held on Sunday.

Kipruto, who clinched the 2022 Chicago Marathon title, secured victory ahead of Timothy Kiplagat and Vincent Kipkemoi Ngetich, forming a Kenyan-dominated top three.

Benson Kipruto surpass

In the women’s category, Ethiopia’s Sutume Asefa Kebede emerged victorious, leading a podium finish ahead of Kenya’s Rosemary Wanjiru and Ethiopia’s Amane Beriso, the reigning world champion.

The winners’ performances surpassed the previous records set by Eliud Kipchoge and Brigid Kosgei in 2022.

Despite returning to Tokyo, where he previously claimed two Olympic marathon titles, Kipchoge had to settle for 10th place this time, completing the race in 2:06:50.

The men’s race commenced at a blistering pace, with hopes of challenging the world record. However, by the 15km mark, the pace slightly subsided, leading to a four-runner group comprising Kipchoge, Kipruto, Kiplagat, and Ngetich.

Although Kipchoge struggled to maintain his position, Kiplagat and Kipruto surged ahead in the latter stages of the race.

Eventually, Kipruto asserted his dominance and surged ahead in the final 5km, securing victory in 2:02:16, a significant improvement from his previous personal best.

Kiplagat finished second in 2:02:55, while Ngetich secured third place in 2:04:18. Meanwhile, Yusuke Nishiyama emerged as the top Japanese finisher in ninth place, clocking a personal best of 2:06:31.

Tokyo Marathon race

In the women’s race, a group of seven athletes, including Kebede, Wanjiru, Beriso, Sifan Hassan, Lonah Chemtai Salpeter, Betsy Saina, and Buzunesh Getachew, maintained a strong pace alongside male runners.

Despite initially trailing, Hassan persevered and continued running solo after being dropped by the leading pack.

As the race progressed, Kebede surged ahead and eventually clinched victory, crossing the finish line in 2:15:55, setting a new personal best and securing her position among the top ten in the world all-time list.

Wanjiru finished second in 2:16:14, followed by Beriso in third with a time of 2:16:58. Meanwhile, Hassan maintained her fourth-place position, clocking 2:18:05, while Saina and Japan’s Hitomi Niiya finished fifth and sixth, respectively