Athletics

Elite Kenyan athletes gear up for Tokyo Marathon as Olympic preparation intensifies

Kenya's Eliud Kipchoge smiles asfter crossing the finish line to win the men's race of the Berlin Marathon on September 24, 2023 in Berlin, Germany. (Photo: Tobias SCHWARZ/AFP)

By Sports Reporter | Friday, December 22, 2023

On the women's front, the team will be led 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.

Kenyan running sensation Eliud Kipchoge, a double Olympic champion, is slated to take on the Tokyo Marathon in March as part of his rigorous training regimen for the upcoming Tokyo Olympic Games.

Adding to the excitement, Dutch long-distance runner Sifan Hassan is set to make her debut in the Tokyo Marathon on March 3, 2024, aiming to maintain her flawless record in marathon competitions.

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Kipchoge, who currently holds the Tokyo course record with a remarkable time of 2:02:40 achieved in 2022, represents the NN Running Team. The seasoned athlete views his participation in the Tokyo race as a strategic move in his quest for a third Olympic marathon title, with the pinnacle event set to unfold in the French capital in August.

"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 organization to host the event during such a challenging period amid the COVID-19 pandemic. I aimed to set the course record, which was great to achieve. I feel good working towards my next race in Tokyo. It is the perfect preparation for my aim to win my third consecutive Olympic title next summer in Paris," he is quoted on People Daily.

Despite turning 39 in November, Kipchoge has displayed exceptional form, securing his fifth victory in the Berlin Marathon in September with a notable time of 2:02:42. Kenya has already unveiled its formidable teams for the Paris Games, with Kipchoge and world record holder Kelvin Kiptum leading the men's squad.

Other include Vincent Ngetich, who clinched second place 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.

On the women's front, the team will be led 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.

Additional members include former world half marathon record holder Joycilline Jepkosgei, Sheila Chepkirui, Judith Jeptum Korir, Selly Chepyego, and Sharon Lokedi, who triumphed in the New York Marathon last year before securing a commendable third-place finish in November 2023.