From the opening miles to the dramatic finishes, the 2026 Tokyo Marathon, once again, established itself as a landmark edition in marathon history—defined not just by blistering world-leading times, but by an unprecedented wave of national records. Elite runners from every corner of the globe converged on Tokyo, racing through fast city streets and rewriting their countries’ record books in the process.
This year’s race saw two world-leading times and several national records set, most notably Brigid Kosgei’s Japanese all-comers’ record of 2:14:29 and the seventh-fastest marathon time in history. Behind her, several athletes delivered record-breaking performances for their respective countries.
A standout performance also occurred in the men’s race, as Tadese Takele ran 2:03:37 to win, setting another world leading time. The men’s competition also contributed to a historic day of fast running, pushing several athletes to new personal and national bests.
In a spectacular show of fitness and experience, Kosgei was to the fore as the leading women reached 10km in 32:14, on course-record pace, a mark previously held by Sutume Asefa Kebede at 2:15:55, set in 2024. In a group of six, they crossed the half-marathon mark in 1:07:37.
Kebede was there to feel the hard pace that would break her record as she ran with Kosgei up to 30 km, where they crossed in 1:35:53. The hard pace set and maintained by Kosgei through the remainder of the race would cost her as she was eventually overtaken by compatriots, leaving her in fourth. 21-year-old Bertukan Welde secured second place in 2:16:36, and Hawi Feysa outsprinted Kebede for third, both clocking 2:17:39.
The men’s race at the Tokyo Marathon was a showcase for national record-breaking performances. Italy’s Iliass Aouani, fresh off a world championship bronze medal, smashed the long-standing Italian marathon record with a time of 2:04:26, earning sixth place in a world-class field. China’s Feng Peiyou also rose to the occasion, setting a new Chinese national record with a 2:05:58 finish.
These milestones, achieved amid one of the fastest marathon fields ever assembled, underscored the Tokyo Marathon’s reputation as a race where global talent rises to meet formidable conditions—and history is rewritten.
While Japan’s Ryuichi Hashimoto led the early stages of the race, it was the depth of the field and the pace that enabled multiple athletes to achieve record-breaking runs. As the lead pack gradually thinned, the relentless tempo helped push competitors to their limits, resulting in both personal and national bests.
In a fiercely contested finish, Daniel Mateiko, Alexander Munyao, Geoffrey Toroitich, and Takele battled through the final kilometres. Takele’s winning kick secured victory in 2:03:37 as he edged Toroitich, while Munyao and Mateiko followed closely. Muktar Edris set a personal best of 2:04:07 for fifth, adding to the day’s impressive performances.
In a fiercely contested finish, Daniel Mateiko, Alexander Munyao, Geoffrey Toroitich, and Takele battled through the final kilometres. Takele’s winning kick secured victory in 2:03:37 as he edged Toroitich, while Munyao and Mateiko followed closely. Muktar Edris set a personal best of 2:04:07 for fifth, adding to the day’s impressive performances.
The Tokyo Marathon once again proved to be a stage where athletes from around the world could chase—and achieve—national records, underlining its status as one of the premier races on the global calendar.
