Kenyan stars eye glory in Tokyo marathon at World Championships
Kenyan athletes will carry the weight of expectations as the 2025 World Athletics Championships marathon unfolds on the streets of Tokyo, with the women’s race shaping up to be one of the most competitive in recent history.
Leading Kenya’s charge is Olympic champion Peres Jepchirchir, who is determined to reclaim her dominance on the global stage.
Jepchirchir, a three-time world half marathon champion, has already conquered the most prestigious city marathons, including London, Boston, New York, and Valencia.
After finishing a disappointing 14th at last year’s Olympics in Paris, the 31-year-old is eager to prove she still has what it takes to compete with the best.
“Tokyo brings back special memories for me,” Jepchirchir once said, recalling her gold medal performance at the 2021 Olympics. “I want to show I can still win at the highest level.”
Jepchirchir is joined by Magdalene Masai, part of the famous Masai athletics family. Masai has been steadily improving, clocking 2:19:28 for fourth place at this year’s Tokyo Marathon.
With her consistency and experience, she could spring a surprise in a race expected to be decided by fine margins.
Rising star Jackline Cherono, who transitioned from steeplechase to marathon running, is another Kenyan to watch after her impressive victory in Rotterdam earlier this year.
While Kenya boasts a strong line-up, the East Africans know they will face fierce competition from their Ethiopian rivals. Tigist Assefa, once the world record holder with her stunning 2:11:53 run in Berlin in 2023, enters Tokyo as the favorite.
The 28-year-old has dominated in Berlin twice and won London this year in 2:15:50, the fastest time in the world this season. Assefa will be hungry for redemption after narrowly missing Olympic gold in Paris, where she lost in a dramatic shoulder-to-shoulder finish with Sifan Hassan.
Assefa’s compatriot Sutume Asefa Kebede will also pose a serious threat. A two-time Tokyo Marathon champion, Kebede holds the Japanese all-comers’ record with her 2:15:55 win last year.
Her familiarity with the Tokyo course could give her an edge over her rivals. Adding more firepower for Ethiopia is Tigist Ketema, who has quickly adapted to marathon running after a background in the 800m.
She made headlines with her 2:16:07 debut win in Dubai and added another victory in Berlin.
Outside the Kenya-Ethiopia rivalry, several other athletes are capable of breaking into the medal positions.
Uganda’s Stella Chesang, who set a national record of 2:18:26 in Valencia, is in strong form, while Israel’s Lonah Salpeter, a 2022 world bronze medallist, remains a proven championship performer.
Japan will also have high hopes with Sayaka Sato, Yuka Ando, and Kana Kobayashi leading the home team, all of whom have posted competitive times in recent domestic races.
The marathon, traditionally dominated by East Africans, will again showcase the depth of Kenyan and Ethiopian talent. With Jepchirchir seeking redemption, Masai looking to step out of her siblings’ shadows, and Cherono eager to make her mark, Kenyan fans will be optimistic of another golden moment in Tokyo.