Tokyo Marathon: Kenyans Eliud Kipchoge and Brigid Kosgei Set New Course Records

President Kenyatta has congratulated athletes Eliud Kipchoge and Brigid Kosgei following their triumph in Sunday’s Tokyo Marathon.

Both Kipchoge and Kosgei smashed the Tokyo Marathon course records, running the fastest ever marathon on Japanese soil.

Kipchoge, who is the marathon world record holder, clocked 2 hours, 02 minutes, 40 seconds to shatter the previous course record of 2:03:58 set by Wilson Kipsang of Kenya in 2017.

The win comes barely seven months after the 37-year-old clinched his second Olympic marathon title in Sapporo, Japan.

“I’m really happy. I’m excited again to be in Japan, especially after winning the Olympic Games last year in Sapporo. I really appreciate the crowd. I think the Japanese are really helpful. That’s why I say in the press that I run strong in Japan,” said Kipchoge.

Kenya’s Amos Kipruto settled for second in a new personal best of 2:03:13 while Tamirat Tola of Ethiopia placed third.

Kipchoge has now won four of the six Abbott World Marathon Major races and is now eyeing the Boston and New York City titles to complete the set. He has three London marathon wins, three Berlin marathon victories, and one Chicago and Tokyo title respectively.

In the women’s race, Kosgei emerged victorious in a time of 2:16:02, obliterating the previous course record of 2:17:45 held by Kenyan-born Lonah Chemtai Salpeter of Israel. Ethiopia’s Ashete Bekere (2:17:58) and her compatriot Gotyom Gebreslase (2:18:18) finished second and third respectively.