The multiple Olympic track champion will compete in his second 26.2-mile race in the Japanese capital.
Joshua Cheptegei, the 5000m and 10,000m world record holder, headlines this year’s Tokyo Marathon (March 2).
The 28-year-old, who is a multiple Olympic champion and secured 10,000m gold in Paris last summer, will be competing in his second ever race over 26.2 miles.
Cheptegei made his long-awaited long-distance debut in Valencia two years ago when the Ugandan finished 37th in 2:08:59, adding that “the marathon has no respect for people”.
For the first time, at the age of 15, he took part in the marathon. he saw Ugandan Stephen Kiprotich run to Olympic gold in London 2012; Cheptegei has always dreamed of racing over 26.2 miles and before Valencia sought advice from compatriot Kiprotich and Eliud Kipchoge.
Joshua Cheptegei (Getty)
Cheptegei, who also became world individual champion in Aarhus six years ago, hopes to use that strength and stamina to achieve a personal best in the Tokyo marathon.
However, he faces stiff competition, with reigning champion Benson Kipruto the favorite in the men’s field.
Kipruto, who secured victory in last year’s Tokyo Marathon with a personal best of 2:0216, also won a bronze medal for Kenya in the distance at the Paris Olympics.
A three-time major winner, Kipruto also won the 2021 Boston and 2022 Chicago marathons, respectively.
Benson Kipruto (River)
This year will be the 33-year-old’s 17th marathon in Tokyo, so he also has experience in the Japanese capital.
Ethiopia’s Dereza Gelata, fifth at the Paris Olympics, will be one to watch.
Gelata’s marathon best of 2:02:38, set in Valencia last month, puts him seventh on the all-time list behind Kipruto.
It’s an incredibly strong men’s field in Tokyo, with other athletes to watch out for including Birhanu Legese (2:02:48), Vincent Kipkemoi (2:03:13), Tadese Takele (2:03:24), David Wolde ( 2:03:24) and Leul Gebresilasen (2:04:02).
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In the highly competitive women’s field, Sutume Kebede is a slight favorite as the defending champion, although she will be severely tested in Tokyo.
The Ethiopian won last year’s event by 19 seconds and clocked a personal best of 2:15:55.
Kebede will be confident of retaining her crown, especially after finishing second in Chicago, but faces three of the top 10 on the women’s marathon all-time list.
Former world record holder Brigid Kosgei could be Sebede’s biggest threat and is also a former Tokyo Marathon winner.
Brigid Cosgey (River)
Kosgei, who has a personal best of 2:14:04, also finished second in the Olympic marathon five years ago and has won five major events.
Count out Tigist Ketema (2:16:07) and Rosemary Wanjiru (2:16:04), who are eighth and ninth respectively on the all-time list over 26.2 miles.
Gotytom Gebreslase may have a slower personal best (2:18:11) but, as the 2022 marathon world champion, is likely to challenge for victory as well.
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