World Championship 2025: Will Kenya reclaim lost marathon title from Uganda?
Kenya’s marathon stars will line up in Tokyo with one goal in mind – to bring back the world title that slipped away to Uganda two years ago.
The World Athletics Championships 2025 men’s marathon promises another East African showdown, with Kenya, Ethiopia, and Uganda all bringing top contenders.
Leading the Kenyan charge is Vincent Kipkemoi Ngetich, who ran an impressive 2:04:00 to finish third at the Tokyo Marathon earlier this year. His strong form makes him Kenya’s best hope of challenging for the crown.
Ngetich will be joined by Eric Sang, who boasts a season’s best of 2:04:30, and Kennedy Kimutai, who has clocked 2:05:27. Together, the trio will look to end Kenya’s two-year wait for a world marathon title.
Kenya last tasted victory in the men’s marathon at the World Championships in 2015, and with four titles in the past nine editions, the nation has a proud history in the event.
However, Uganda’s Vincent Kiplangat broke their dominance in Budapest in 2023, following in the footsteps of Stephen Kiprotich, who stunned the world with his 2013 triumph.
Kiplangat, who also won the 2022 Commonwealth Games, will be back to defend his crown in Tokyo.
Ethiopia, meanwhile, enters the race with the fastest men in the field. Tadese Takele, winner of the Tokyo Marathon in 2:03:23, headlines the entry list, while compatriot Deresa Geleta (2:03:51) and Tesfaye Deriba (2:04:13) add further depth.
The Ethiopian trio will be hard to beat, but Kenya’s consistency and tactical experience on the big stage could tip the balance.
Beyond East Africa, athletes like Japan’s Ryota Kondo, Britain’s Emile Cairess, Israel’s Maru Teferi, and Italy’s Yohanes Chiapinelli are also expected to fight for podium spots.
But the biggest storyline will remain whether Kenya can reclaim its lost title or whether Uganda and Ethiopia will continue to dictate the marathon’s future.
For the Kenyans, Tokyo is more than just another marathon – it’s about restoring national pride and proving they still rule the 42km distance.