Kosgei Wins Tokyo Marathon in Record Time at 2026 Race

Published: 2 March 2026
The English Chronicle Desk
The English Chronicle Online

Kenya’s Brigid Kosgei delivered a commanding performance at the 2026 Tokyo Marathon, breaking the women’s course record and securing a historic victory in the Japanese capital, officials and athletics reports confirm. The 32‑year‑old clocked 2 hours 14 minutes 29 seconds, smashing the previous record of 2:15:55 and underlining her status among the world’s elite marathoners.

With more than 38,000 participants running through Tokyo’s streets on Sunday, Kosgei surged ahead in the latter stages of the women’s elite race, ultimately finishing more than two minutes ahead of second‑place Bertukan Welde of Ethiopia, who crossed the line in 2:16:36. Ethiopia’s Hawi Feysa was third in 2:17:39.

Kosgei’s time of 2:14:29 now stands as the new course and Japanese all‑comers record and is among the fastest performances in women’s marathon history. It also marks her second Tokyo Marathon win, having previously triumphed in 2021. Experts say the result reinforces her remarkable longevity and tactical prowess at major marathons, especially after overcoming injuries in recent seasons.

In the men’s race, Ethiopia’s Tadese Takele successfully defended his Tokyo title, winning in a thrilling sprint finish with a time of 2:03:37, officially equal to runner‑up Geoffrey Toroitich of Kenya, with Alexander Mutiso a second behind in third. The men’s competition was characterised by close competition among elite runners in warm, dry conditions.

Kosgei’s victory in Tokyo comes on the heels of her Olympic marathon silver medal, and she has hinted at ambitions to compete for Turkey at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, signalling a new chapter in her illustrious career.

The Tokyo Marathon 2026 — one of the Abbott World Marathon Majors — continues to be a barometer for elite distance running, with standout performances on both the men’s and women’s sides drawing global attention and adding to the narrative of the year’s road‑racing season.

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