Closest Finish in World Championship Marathon History as Alphonce Simbu Snatches Gold in Tokyo

The men’s marathon at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo produced one of the most dramatic finishes in history, with Tanzania’s Alphonce Simbu winning gold in a photo finish after a furious sprint to the line.

Both Simbu and Germany’s Amanal Petros were officially credited with the same finishing time of 2:09:48, with Simbu edging ahead by the smallest of margins after a desperate lean in the final meters on the track inside Tokyo’s Olympic Stadium. Italy’s Iliass Aouani completed the podium, taking bronze in 2:09:53.

Brutal Conditions Test the Field

Like the women’s race the previous day, the men’s marathon started at 7:30 a.m. local time under punishing conditions. Temperatures were already 26°C (79°F) at the start, with high humidity and full sun making for a grueling challenge over the 42.195-kilometer course.

For much of the race, a large lead pack of up to 36 runners set a steady pace, with championship racing tactics taking precedence over any time goals. But the race began to fracture on the hilly section near the 37-kilometer mark, where the relentless conditions and surging pace created a war of attrition.

Down to Five, Then Three

The lead group began dispatching of many of the pre-race favorites, with the entire Ethiopian team eventually dropping out, and the Kenyans fading badly in the second half.

The lead pack gradually whittled down to just five athletes as the race approached the final stages, before narrowing to just three men entering the stadium for the final lap on the track: Simbu, Petros, and Aouani.

Petros, the former German record holder, appeared poised for victory as he surged ahead entering the home straight, opening a small gap on Simbu. Aouani, a few steps behind, was fading slightly but still in medal position.

A Finish for the Ages

With less than 10 meters to go, Simbu produced a remarkable final burst of speed, drawing level with Petros just as the pair crossed the line together. Petros fell dramatically to the track in exhaustion, while Simbu, leaning hard at the tape, was awarded the victory after a tense photo finish review.

Both athletes were credited with the same time, 2:09:48, the closest finish ever recorded in a World Championship marathon. Aouani secured bronze in 2:09:53, five seconds off the lead.

The race marked a career-defining moment for Simbu, who had previously earned bronze at the 2017 World Championships but had never before taken gold at a major global event.

In all, 22 of the 90 runners DNFed, with two not starting the race, making the attrition rate 25%.

Full Results of the Men’s Marathon