EMMANUEL WEKESA
Tokyo, Japan — Kenyan marathon legend Brigid Kosgei delivered a stunning performance at the 2026 Tokyo Marathon, setting a new course and Japanese all-comers’ record with a time of 2:14:29 to claim the women’s elite title in emphatic fashion on Sunday.
In near-perfect conditions on the streets of the Japanese capital, Kosgei ran the seventh-fastest marathon ever recorded by a woman, demonstrating her return to elite form and reinforcing her status as one of the greatest marathoners of her generation.
A Historic Run
Kosgei’s finishing time of 2:14:29 not only broke the previous Tokyo course record of 2:15:55 — set in 2024 by Ethiopia’s Sutume Asefa Kebede — but also smashed the Japanese all-comers’ best mark for the event.
The 32-year-old, who already holds a personal best of 2:14:04 — a world record at the time when she set it in 2019 — outpaced a competitive elite field from start to finish, ultimately crossing the line more than two minutes ahead of her closest rival.
Kosgei surged ahead after the 30-kilometre mark, breaking clear from the lead group and powering home as the Japanese capital crowd cheered. Her dominant run marked a triumphant return to the top of a World Marathon Major podium.
Podium Finishers and Prize Details
Ethiopia’s Bertukan Welde finished second with a time of 2:16:36, recording a personal best, while fellow Ethiopian Hawi Feysa secured the final podium position in 2:17:39.
Kosgei’s victory comes with significant rewards: she earned the first-place prize along with a course-record bonus, which together amount to substantial prize money — reportedly about USD 100,000 before taxes — reflecting the prestige of the World Marathon Majors series.
Men’s Race Highlights
The men’s elite race was equally thrilling, with Ethiopia’s Tadese Takele successfully defending his Tokyo Marathon title in a dramatic sprint finish against Kenya’s Geoffrey Toroitich Kipchumba. The pair were officially credited with the same time of 2:03:37, with Kenyan Alexander Mutiso Munyao just one second behind for third.
Kosgei’s Legacy and Future
Kosgei, who first won the Tokyo Marathon in 2022 and has multiple major marathon victories on her résumé, hinted at ambitions beyond this win. Reports suggest she plans to compete internationally in the lead-up to the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles under a new nationality — a move that highlights her ongoing pursuit of athletic greatness.
Her record-breaking performance in Tokyo not only thrilled spectators but also set a benchmark for marathon excellence as the 2026 World Marathon Majors season gets fully underwa
